Summary of: Delivering alcohol screening and alcohol brief interventions within general dental practice: rationale and overview of the evidence

Key Points

• Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor associated with harm to health.

• Oral cancer constitutes the condition that might most reasonably link the provision of alcohol-related advice with dentistry.

• Dental primary care is potentially an ideal environment to engage in discussions about alcohol consumption.

• Further research is needed to help develop a consistent approach to delivering alcohol advice in dentistry across the UK.

Abstract

Alcohol consumption and affordability in the UK has increased over the last 50 years and is associated with a range of adverse oral health outcomes, the most serious of which, oral cancer, is also increasing in incidence. Despite this, routine screening and intervention relating to alcohol consumption within general dental practice remains uncommon. This review of the literature describes the background and outlines the evidence base for undertaking alcohol screening and delivering brief interventions in general dental practice. Consideration will be given to the rationale for, and range of issues related to, introducing this into general dental practice.

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