BACKGROUND:

In Southeast Asia Region countries, the smokeless form of tobacco is a significant cause of concern due to its variety of usage and availability, health and environmental effects. The 11 countries in the South-East Asia Region have over 290 million SLT users, nearly 80% of the global figure, which outnumbers the estimated number of smokers in the Region. The health impacts of smokeless tobacco are well documented and are known to cause a variety of cancers, including oral, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer. To reduce the effects of smokeless tobacco-related morbidity and mortality, we need a combination of strategies to avoid the initiation of smokeless tobacco by non-users and cessation of smokeless tobacco use among current users. Among smokeless tobacco users aware of its ill effects, most want to quit but cannot do so because of its addictive nature, here the role of cessation expert becomes crucial.

WHY THIS WEBINAR?

Dental health professionals can serve an instrumental role because of the oral health implications of smokeless tobacco use. They are most often the first health professionals to spot potential problems associated with oral health. They can consistently identify patients who use tobacco, advice and encourage them to quit, and offer them information about cessation. With this backdrop, WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Smokeless Tobacco has conceptualized this webinar for Dental health professionals of SEAR countries. In the webinar, the cessation experts will offer the latest information related to the effects of smokeless tobacco use on the human body, how dental health professionals can play a crucial role in smokeless tobacco cessation.

WEBINAR OBJECTIVES :

• To sensitize the dental health professionals about the oral and overall health implications of use of smokeless tobacco products.
• To sensitize dental health professionals about strategies and techniques for empowering smokeless tobacco users to make successful attempts to quit, including effective forms of communication and cessation assistance.