PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF CIGARETTE-SMOKING

In summary, the entrance of the dental community into this area of treatment may have a significant impact on the reduction of smoking in our society. Dentists may be seeing smokers before the onset of disease and when they are ready to quit. Repeated patient visits offer a unique opportunity for follow-up. Presently, nicotine polacrilex is the only approved pharmacological FDA treatment. This is an ideal treatment for dentists to pursue because it is orally administered and effective through a proper chewing action. Other pharmacological agents (for example, antihypertensives) may require the followup of the physician. There are three key demands on the practitioner treating smokers: an understanding of the role of nicotine dependence in compulsive smoking; how to prescribe and educate in the proper use of nicotine polacrilex; and sympathy and a basic awareness of withdrawal and the psychological needs of patients undergoing cessation from smoking. This paper covers the rationale for development and use of nicotine polacrilex as well as some of the evidence for its effectiveness (relief of nicotine withdrawal) and efficacy (short and long term). The specifics of proper use have been described along with a brief overview of the psychosocial skills needed to succeed. The dentist offers a unique opportunity to reach enormous numbers of smokers in the battle against tobacco-induced disease and death.