Dentists' involvement in smoking cessation counseling: a review and analysis.

Cigarette smoking continues to be one of the most significant avoidable health risk behaviors in the United States. This paper reviews the current data on dentists' involvement in smoking cessation counseling. Three areas are examined: smoking practices of dentists, dentists' attitudes toward involvement in smoking cessation counseling, and the self-reported counseling activities of dentists with their patients. The results suggest that the number of dentists who smoke is declining. In addition, most dentists agree that dentistry should be involved in smoking cessation counseling, but up to a third do not advise patients about smoking. The data also suggest a need for continuing education regarding counseling strategies.