One of the most effective ways of helping patients prevent oral cancer is to promote smoking cessation. All health care providers, especially dentists and hygienists, have a unique opportunity to assist tobacco using patients in cessation. Office visits afford health care providers the chance to influence patient behavior in a brief period of time.

The following links provide information specifically for assisting health care providers in promoting smoking cessation among patients. The link to the Maryland Center for Health Promotion and Tobacco Use Prevention Tobacco Cessation Resource Directory provides county specific contact information on tobacco cessation programs.