Tobacco Cessation Cell
Health care providers play an important role in tobacco cessation and abstinence. The Dental Health Care Providers can assist in early diagnosis with the help of basic clinical skills, academic knowledge along with indispensable care, necessary surgical and behavioral support, make referrals and generate awareness. Keeping this in mind, Vishnu Dental College, Hospital has been actively working towards Tobacco Cessation through various activities like free Dental Camps for oral health check up, Counsellings and workshops .The Department of Public Heath Dentistry offers training, research and community health services through its various outdoor activities in the form of dental camps, community-comprehensive mobile and satellite clinics . Oral Health Information center is also established in the department for displaying the work of students and staff members in educating the common people regarding oral health .
Taking one step further in this, Vishnu Dental College through its Department of Public Health Dentistry and Oral medicine and Radiology had set up Tobacco Cessation Cell (TCC) which was established on 31st May 2017 on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day. This TCC aims to provide community awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and to conduct clinical based individual tobacco cessation sessions. At the same time, TCC would provide an ideal platform to train, orient and sensitize the dental graduates and post graduates on tobacco cessation counselling. The cell functions under the direct guidance and supervision of the trained faculty from the department of Public Health Dentistry and Oral Medicine and Radiology with referral support from other dental as well as medical departments. The cell would operate a daily basis with a monthly schedule of posting of staff along with post graduates students and interns. TCC would identify clusters like schools, colleges or health centers and organize mass awareness programs. It also collaborates with the mobile dental unit and carry out community based screening and cessation programs.
Our TCC is located in the ground floor near Oral Medicine Radiology department. First chain of referral to our center is from OPD of the college and satellite clinics of college. Trained Postgraduates from Oral Medicine and Radiology take detailed tobacco case history using predesigned DCI prescribed tobacco proforma and also screens for precancerous lesions under supervision of in-charge faculty Dr. G. Swathi Naidu, Senior lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. M. Suvarna, Senior lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology . Those reported to OPD with tobacco related oro-mucosal lesions (precancerous lesion) will undergo thorough clinical examination followed by incisional/excisional biopsy if required. Patients having habit of Tobacco usage will be referred to further intervention for Behavioural and pharmacological therapy-based on nicotine dependence.
- Click here for more information on the effect of smoking on your teeth, gums and oral health.
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