Dental hygienists in a five county area in New York will be asking patients direct questions about their tobacco use and will encourage smokers to quit, through a new continuing education program initiated by the Center for Community for Health of United Health Services Hospitals.

Through a funding grant from the New York State Department of Health, United Health Services has teamed with the Dental Hygienists’ Association of the State of New York, Inc. to provide tobacco cessation education to hygienists in Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Cortland and Tompkins counties.

“We realize that dental hygienists are in a good position to assess any changes in the oral health of the patient that could indicate complications caused by tobacco use,” said Fran Chambers, Manager of the Center for Community Health. “As health professionals, hygienists can make a difference.

Evidence shows that the more tobacco users hear about the harmful effects of tobacco, the more likely the person is to quit.”

Participating hygienists will be asked to read a reference guide called “Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence” which includes suggestions about how to talk to patients about tobacco cessation and to assist them in making a plan to quit. After successfully completing a questionnaire about the information in the guide, the hygienists will receive two continuing education units.