When FDI launched its Tobacco Cessation project in 2020, it set out with a bold vision: to empower oral health professionals worldwide to become active players in the fight against tobacco use, which is a leading cause of preventable disease and death. Five years later, the project has grown into a global endeavour that has advocated for transformed dental practices, strengthened professional confidence, and sparked meaningful change in communities around the world. 

Building capacity through education 

The Tobacco Cessation workshops are interactive, evidence-based sessions designed to integrate tobacco cessation counselling into everyday dental practice. Each workshop includes presentations on the dangers of tobacco use, practical training in the 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) and 5Rs (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, Repetition) approaches, and role-playing exercises to build real-world communication skills. 

Between 2021 and 2025, these workshops reached: 

• 18 countries and territories
• Over 1,100 participants, including dentists, hygienists, and oral health educators 

Measurable impact and meaningful change 

Feedback from participants paints a clear picture of success. One participant reflected: 

“The workshop enabled me to integrate tobacco cessation as a priority issue in my clinical practice, rather than something secondary. It helped me understand that even a brief intervention can make a difference.” 

Another added, “I now feel more confident when talking to patients and explaining the harms of smoking. One sentence that has stayed with me is: ‘Half of those who smoke will develop cancer.’ It had a strong impact on me and strengthened my motivation to advise patients.” 

National Dental Associations (NDAs) have echoed this enthusiasm. All seven NDAs that completed post-workshop evaluations rated the workshops with the highest possible score, underscoring the programme’s effectiveness and relevance. 

Lessons learned and future directions 

The journey hasn’t stopped at education. It has also been about listening and evolving. Participants identified key areas to explore in future sessions, including: 

• Addressing relapse prevention and psychological support
• Tackling vaping and youth tobacco use
• Adapting interventions to country-specific contexts 

The past five years have proven that when the dental community comes together, it can make a measurable difference in public health. The next five years promise to deepen that impact, reaching new countries, empowering new professionals, and helping more patients take their first step toward a smoke-free life. 

Opportunity for 2025: host a workshop in your country 

There is still time to be part of this global effort. The FDI Tobacco Cessation workshop opportunity remains open for 2025, giving NDAs the chance to host a workshop before the end of the year. 

Each selected country will receive 1,000 Swiss Francs in support to help organize the event and bring together dental teams eager to learn and lead change. 

These workshops are catalysts for healthier communities. If your association has not yet participated, this is the moment to join a network of professionals committed to reducing tobacco use and improving oral health worldwide. 

Applications are still being accepted at the following email address: projects@fdiworlddental.org.  

Learn more about the FDI Tobacco Cessation project by visiting: https://fdiworlddental.org/tobacco-cessation