Tobacco use in Australia is linked to 19,000 deaths every year. Smoking is the largest single preventable cause of mortality and morbidity in the world today. The WHO have recognised the critical importance of tobacco use prevention and cessation (TUPAC) as a primary focus for health professionals. In addition, the FDI actively promote the role that oral health professionals can play in promoting TUPAC with their patients.

The environment for the delivery of oral health care provides an ideal opportunity for positive interaction towards tobacco use prevention and cessation. However, many oral health professionals may have had limited access to appropriate information to undertake the role of promoting tobacco use prevention and cessation. At the undergraduate level, they may not have experienced the integration of TUPAC to their behavioural sciences education as they progressed through the curriculum.

Therefore in everyday practice, they may feel less confident in providing this intervention due to a perceived lack of expertise and a misconception of increased appointment time.Initiatives from over 10 years ago in the United States have provided a strong platform for the integration of TUPAC into the undergraduate dental curriculum and Continuing Education forums. Countries in the European region have also pursued the mandatory inclusion of TUPAC to the undergraduate curriculum.

In Australia, the Quit Group, ADA and DHSV have provided resources for oral health professionals to increase their skills and confidence in the area of TUPAC. The aim of this program is to share the knowledge, experience and skills of those involved in TUPAC with a broader audience of oral health professionals and educators. It is envisaged that this interactive symposia will assist in enabling the oral health professional to actively promote Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation for their patient and community.