Smoking cessation specialists to offer weekly help at Belfast practice

Dunmurry Dental Practice has become the first dental practice to provide a dedicated stop smoking service in partnership with Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

The support service, which is free and confidential, is delivered by Cancer Focus Stop Smoking specialists at the Dunmurry Dental Practice on a weekly basis. The service offers smokers behavioural support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum.

Phillip McLorinan, principal dentist at Dunmurry Dental Practice, said: “We are delighted to be the first dental practice to offer a stop smoking support service in partnership with Cancer Focus. We’ve had over 30 patients use the service since the start of January and the numbers continue to grow.

“Giving up smoking is one of the best things people can do for their oral health. Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and, more seriously, mouth cancer. By offering the stop smoking service from our practice, we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for our patients to quit.”

Bernie Neeson, stop smoking co-ordinator, Cancer Focus, said: “Research shows that by seeking advice from a healthcare professional, along with using suitable stop smoking aids, you are four times more likely to successfully quit. Our Stop Smoking Service achieves quit rates that are consistently higher than the national average: NICE guidelines recommend a 35 per cent success rate at four weeks while our Stop Smoking Support services achieve 68 per cent.”

Cancer Focus’ award-winning Stop Smoking Service is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and provides support services in a range of settings to include dental and GP practices, community, workplace and youth settings including schools.