FDI Tobacco Cessation project at FDIWDC26

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 3. September 2026

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PRAGUE, Czech Republic: Since its launch in 2020, the FDI Tobacco Cessation project has supported the integration of oral health professionals in tobacco cessation efforts. Through workshops, educational resources and international collaboration, the initiative has prepared dentists and dental teams across the globe to incorporate tobacco cessation counselling into everyday clinical practice and helped patients take meaningful steps towards quitting tobacco and improving their oral and overall health.

Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death worldwide and is a major risk factor for oral disease, including periodontal disease and oral cancer, as well as for delayed healing and tooth loss. Recognising the vital role that oral health professionals can play in prevention and patient education, FDI launched the project with the goal of making tobacco cessation intervention part of routine dentistry.

Building capacity through practical education

At the heart of the initiative are the FDI Tobacco Cessation workshops, which are interactive, evidence-based training sessions designed to equip dental professionals with the knowledge, confidence and communication skills needed to support patients in discontinuing tobacco use. The workshops focus on practical implementation in dental settings and introduce participants to internationally recognised intervention models, particularly the 5As approach—Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange—as well as the 5Rs framework—Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks and Repetition. Through lectures, discussions and role-playing exercises, participants learn how to conduct brief but effective interventions that can be delivered during routine appointments.

FDI has also developed a comprehensive package of resources to support workshop implementation, including programme templates, role-play exercises, feedback tools, presentations, video animations and Tobacco Cessation Guidance for Health Professionals, which is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Japanese. These materials help national dental associations adapt the workshops to their local context by providing a structured, evidence-based framework for training.

Workshop implementation across regions

What began as a pilot initiative has grown into a global effort. Between 2021 and 2025, FDI-supported workshops reached 18 countries and territories and trained more than 1,100 participants, including dentists, hygienists, educators and other oral health professionals. Workshops have been organised in countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, demonstrating both the universal relevance of tobacco cessation and the growing recognition of dentistry’s role in public health.

In 2022, after the success of an initial online pilot workshop held in December 2021, FDI organised a hybrid regional workshop in Morocco, bringing together representatives from nine countries in Africa. The event used hands-on learning and collaborative discussion to help participants integrate tobacco cessation into routine dental care. Further workshops were later conducted by national dental associations in Türkiye, Greece, Palestine, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco. Each workshop adapted the core FDI materials to local needs and healthcare realities, with the shared objective of providing dentists and dental teams with practical resources to support tobacco users effectively.

Some participating national dental associations also adapted the workshop format to broaden its reach. In Nigeria, a hybrid training programme brought together specialists from multiple dental fields, broadening the project’s reach across patient populations. In Palestine, the workshop was accompanied by an awareness campaign encouraging dental professionals themselves to quit smoking and to promote tobacco-free events. Türkiye integrated the workshop into a national dental congress to maximise participation, while Zimbabwe extended outreach efforts to dental students through educational events.

More recently, workshops in Tunisia, Lebanon and Chile last year trained an additional 189 participants. Attendees highlighted the value of interactive breakout sessions and multidisciplinary discussion, particularly in countries where tobacco cessation training opportunities are limited.

Participant feedback and early evidence

Beyond participation numbers, participant feedback and early findings suggest that the project has helped strengthen clinical confidence and support incorporation of tobacco cessation advice into patient care. Feedback from workshop participants consistently shows increased motivation and preparedness to discuss tobacco use with patients. Many participants reported that the training helped them recognise tobacco cessation counselling as an essential component of dental care rather than an optional or secondary activity. Others noted that the workshops improved their communication skills and provided them with practical tools for initiating sensitive conversations with patients.

National dental associations have also expressed strong support for the initiative. Participating national associations rated the workshops highly, emphasising their relevance and practical value.

Emerging research further supports the programme’s effectiveness. A recent study examining structured 5As and 5Rs training among dental professionals in Nigeria found significant improvements in both knowledge and self-reported clinical practices related to tobacco cessation following participation in the FDI-supported training. These outcomes suggest that structured training can strengthen dental professionals’ readiness to deliver brief tobacco cessation interventions in routine care.

FDI Tobacco Cessation workshop held in Lebanon on 17 May 2025.

Expanding the role of dentistry in public health

The project also reflects a broader shift in how dentistry is perceived within healthcare systems. Dentists and dental teams may see patients regularly and are uniquely positioned to detect early signs of tobacco-related damage in the mouth. This creates valuable opportunities for prevention, education and early intervention.

The FDI Tobacco Cessation project encourages dental professionals to embrace this broader preventive role. Through the initiative, FDI also advocates for stronger tobacco control policies and closer collaboration between oral health professionals and the wider healthcare community. The project aligns with the long-standing recognition by the World Health Organization that health professionals have significant influence in reducing tobacco use globally.

As the project has evolved, participants have also identified priorities for future training. These include relapse prevention strategies and psychological support, guidance on addressing vaping and tobacco use among young people, and ways to adapt interventions to different cultural and national contexts.

Expanding training to address emerging nicotine products

Five years after its launch, the FDI Tobacco Cessation project has demonstrated how targeted education and international collaboration can strengthen the role of oral health professionals in tackling one of the world’s greatest public health challenges. As the project continues to grow, FDI encourages national dental associations to join the initiative and apply for workshop grants. Participating associations can receive financial support and access to workshop resources to help organise national training events and expand local capacity.

Because tobacco and nicotine use behaviours are changing, FDI is also preparing to expand the scope of the project to address the growing prevalence of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, particularly among young people. This next phase builds on increasing scientific evidence on the oral health risks associated with these nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems. A recent article in the International Dental Journal, titled “To vape or not to vape: Oral health in the age of electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems”, highlights the importance of equipping oral health professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to address vaping and e-cigarette use in clinical practice. FDI aims to reflect this evidence in future workshops and educational resources, helping dental professionals respond more effectively to emerging tobacco and nicotine trends worldwide.

Spotlight session at FDI World Dental Congress in Prague

At the 2026 FDI World Dental Congress, FDI will host a dedicated session titled “Tobacco and Emerging Nicotine Products Cessation Strategies: Empowering the Dental Team with Evidence” on 4 September. Presented by Prof. Purnima Kumar, Dr Eduardo Bianco and Dr Dongbo Fu, the session will help strengthen dental team’s skills in brief tobacco cessation interventions, review the latest evidence on vaping and other emerging nicotine products, and equip dental teams to counter industry misinformation. It will also highlight practical use of the 5As and 5Rs models and FDI training resources.