The NHS Lanarkshire Quit Your Way team has recently updated their referral methods to simplify how dental staff refer patients who smoke.
Dental teams are uniquely placed to support patients who smoke, as you could be the first to spot the oral health impacts of tobacco use, from gum disease to oral cancer. Most patients expect to be asked about their smoking and value support from trusted health professionals like their dental team.
Those referred to the service will receive support to stop and the option of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy including patches, lozenges and gum for 12-weeks.
C. Albert Yeung, Consultant in Dental Public Health, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Every dental appointment is an opportunity to support better oral and general health.
“Dental professionals are among the few healthcare professionals who regularly record smoking status when taking a patient’s social history. By asking a patient who smokes, ‘Have you tried to quit smoking before?’, we can begin a brief, supportive conversation without judgement or pressure.
“That is what Making Every Contact Count is about: recognising the opportunity, offering help and making it easier for patients who are ready to access specialist support.”
New referral methods:
Online referral form – specifically for dental staff
All dental staff, including clerical and administrative staff, can use this short form to refer patients who have agreed to receive support from the Stop Smoking Service. The form allows you to provide your name and contact details, along with the patient’s contact details, so that the service can get in touch with them directly.
Complete the new form on NHS Inform.
If the member of your team completing the form forgets to ask the patient their contact details before the patient has left the dental practice, please either:
(1) Contact the patient again to ask for the preferred method of contact
(2) Select the option on the online form on behalf of the patient, only complete this where the patient has consented to the referral to the service
New SCI Gateway referral form
The NHS Lanarkshire Quit Your Way service has updated its current SCI Gateway referral pathway so it’s shorter and easier, allowing Health Professionals to complete referrals quicker.
You can find this on SCI Gateway by selecting ‘Lanarkshire Smoking Cessation Service’
Local Helpline
All dental staff can contact our team on our dedicated helpline by calling 01698 754 888.
We’re available for:
- Referring patients.
- Advice for patients motivated to stop smoking.
- Advice on Nicotine Replacement Therapy products.
Please have to hand:
- Patient’s name
- Patient’s CHI Number
If no one is available to answer your call, please leave a voicemail with yours and the patients details, and we will call you back.
Why referring matters
- Stop smoking services offer tailored, evidence-based support that addresses both the physical addiction and the behavioural side of smoking.
- Patients who access specialist support are up to four times more likely to quit successfully
Vaping
The QYW Adviser would be able to provide basic advice around reducing an individual’s use of vapes (also known as electronic cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and can send out an information leaflet. However, the QYW advisers are not able to provide a service to those who wish to quit vaping. More information about quitting vaping can be found at: Vaping | NHS inform or on the teams Escape the Vape Instagram, which was launched to support young people and parents/carers to know the facts around vaping.
