Quit SmokingPrepare to Quit - A Clinical Trial to Help People Quit Smoking in a Community Dental Clinic Setting

The extended counseling group will receive one to three, 45-minute individual motivational counseling sessions using a motivational interviewing approach to Express empathy, Develop discrepancy, Roll with resistance, and Support self-efficacy.

The tooth whitening group will receive all of the interventions previously described for the Motivational Counseling Group, and as an extra incentive against relapse, will also be offered complimentary tooth whitening procedures if biochemically verified as tobacco-free by Carbon Monoxide monitor (bleaching at 3-weeks, whitening strips at 3-months, and whitening touch-up at 1 year).

1. A dental check-up will ensure the absence of contraindications to tooth whitening (cavities, soft tissue pathology, severe periodontitis) 2. Removal of calculus, plaque, or stains with a dental polishing 3. Treatment time is approximately 1 hour total4. Lips are retracted, tongue protector is placed and protective eyewear used 5. Saliva is suctioned and teeth are air dried 6. A liquid rubber dam material is applied to protect gums and cured by visible light. 7. The bleaching material is placed on the enamel surface of the involved teeth and is replaced if drying occurs 8. After 15 minutes, the bleach is suctioned, mouth rinsed and process repeated 9. Three to four applications are typically used

Normally three counseling sessions. Session #1: Introductions; discuss habits, feelings, pros and cons of smoking; degree of addiction; previous quit attempts and relapse; reinforce patient confidence; open-ended questions to illicit self-efficacy; homework includes Pack-Track and Why Test. Session #2: Discuss smoking patterns, triggers, and risk situations; discuss methods to resist triggers, need for medications; prepare environment and back-up plan; discuss quit date; homework to review self-help workbook. Session #3: Reinforce previous concepts; review resistance plan; discuss and arrange pharmaceutical cessation aids; set quit date; homework to finalize all self/home preparations; offer tooth polishing on quit date; follow-up by telephone or appointment.