The FreSH Study is recruiting oral health providers

• Studies

Oral health practitioners rarely treat tobacco use. The FreSH study tests a simple tobacco treatment approach called Nicotine Replacement Therapy Sampling. In this study, practices will provide a brief intervention for tobacco cessation recommended by the American Dental Hygienist’s Association called Ask-Advise-Refer (Ask all patients if they smoke, advise them to quit, and refer to the state quitline). In addition, practices will be randomly assigned to provide patients with free samples either nicotine replacement therapy (2-week supply of nicotine patch or nicotine gum) or an electric toothbrush (control group). The study will test whether those who received the free nicotine replacement therapy sample are more likely to have quit smoking 6 months later.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU? 

• Recruit 24 patients who smoke over the next year
• Administer a screening form, informed consent, and baseline survey on a study-provided iPad
• Deliver a scripted <5 min smoking cessation intervention called Ask-Advise-Refer
• Give out a sample bag containing an electric toothbrush or Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) samples

WHICH PATIENTS CAN PARTICIPATE? 

• 18 years old or older
• Smoke at least 1 cigarette per day 25 days/month
• Have access to a smart phone
• Able to commit to study requirements over 6 months
• Patients DO NOT need to stop smoking to participate!

 WHAT IS EXPECTED OF MY PATIENTS? 

• Receive brief counseling from their dentist about smoking
• Be offered a referral to the state quitline
• Receive a free sample (nicotine replacement therapy or electric toothbrush)
• Complete 4 surveys over 6 months
• After the dental visit, all study activities are done remotely

WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE? 

• Learn to intervene with tobacco use
• Earn free CEs
• Free giveaways for patients
• iPad to keep at the end of the study
• Collaborate with other oral health practitioners
• You will be compensated $50 per participant who receives the study intervention and may earn up to $1,250
• Your patients will be compensated up to $180

WHAT DENTISTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS STUDY

Dr. Louis from HealthPartners participated in the pilot study.

CONTACT US TO PARTICIPATE

If you are interested in testing a quit smoking intervention in your dental office, you may be eligible to participate.

Email us and a node coordinator will contact you for the next steps.