From Frameworks to Real Conversations

A common thread across both workshops was the importance of giving dental professionals practical approaches they can use during patient consultations. 

The 5As framework, Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange, provided a foundation for understanding how tobacco cessation can be incorporated into routine dental care. Additionally, the 5Rs, Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks and Repetition, offered an additional approach for engaging patients who may not yet be ready to quit. Together, the frameworks helped participants consider how conversations can be adapted to different patients and different stages of readiness.

The interactive nature of the training was central to participants' learning. They had opportunities to consider realistic clinical situations, discuss common barriers and share strategies for fitting cessation counselling into consultations where time may be limited. This practical focus was intended to ensure that participants left not only with greater knowledge, but with approaches they could immediately adapt to their own practices.

Costa Rica: Building Connections for Continued Cessation Support

On August 4, 2025, 42 general dentists participated in the Tobacco Cessation Workshop in Costa Rica. The programme brought together expertise from across oral health and tobacco control, including from the National Anti-Tobacco Network, RENATA.

A major focus of the Costa Rican workshop was helping participants translate cessation principles into the realities of everyday dental practice. Discussions addressed how tobacco and nicotine use can be identified as part of routine patient information gathering and how a brief intervention can be incorporated into a dental appointment without requiring a major change to the consultation.

Participants identified practical communication tools and strategies for maintaining patient motivation as areas where further support would be particularly valuable. The workshop also addressed the changing landscape of nicotine use, including vaping and other products, and the need for dental professionals to understand their relevance to oral health.

The event also strengthened collaboration between the dental community, RENATA and Costa Rica's smoking cessation services. These partnerships create opportunities to continue providing education to dental professionals while improving links between dental practices and specialized cessation support.

India: Learning Through Hands-On Practice

The Indian workshop, held on August 20, 2026, brought together 203 participants, including general dental practitioners, postgraduate students and faculty members from dental institutions across the country.

The programme's reach extended well beyond individual registrations. Several dental colleges organized group viewing sessions, allowing students and faculty to watch the live workshop together on large screens. This approach created a collective learning environment and demonstrated the strong institutional interest in strengthening tobacco cessation education within dental schools.

The workshop placed particular emphasis on hands-on learning and role-play. Participants worked through realistic scenarios and alternated between the roles of dentist and patient, giving them an opportunity to practice how cessation conversations might unfold in a real clinical setting. The exercises encouraged participants to think about how to respond to different patient attitudes, including hesitation and resistance, while maintaining a supportive and constructive dialogue.

Facilitated discussions after the practical activities allowed participants to reflect on the challenges they may face in their own practices, particularly when consultations are short or patients are reluctant to discuss their tobacco use. These exchanges also provided an opportunity for participants to share solutions and learn from the experiences of colleagues.

The response to the workshop was overwhelmingly positive. Participants described the training as timely and highly relevant to the realities of dental practice in India, particularly given the country's significant burden of tobacco-related disease. Many reported feeling more confident about initiating cessation conversations as a result of the practical training. The collaboration between the Indian Dental Association and FDI World Dental Federation was also welcomed as an important contribution to strengthening tobacco cessation education and advocacy within the profession.

A Shared Commitment to Action

Although the workshops took place in different countries and engaged different audiences, they demonstrated a common need: dental professionals want practical, evidence-based tools that enable them to address tobacco and nicotine use confidently with their patients.

Costa Rica's workshop highlighted the value of building strong connections between dental professionals and established cessation services, while India's programme demonstrated how hands-on practice and peer learning can build confidence in applying cessation techniques.

Together, the workshops reinforce the potential of the dental profession to contribute to tobacco cessation. By incorporating structured interventions, effective communication and appropriate follow-up into routine care, dental professionals can turn everyday patient encounters into opportunities to support healthier choices and lasting change.

FDI’s Tobacco Cessation workshops are supported by Lion Corporation.