Identifying Behavior Change Techniques Used in Tobacco Cessation Interventions by Oral Health Professionals and Their Relation to Intervention Effects—A Review of the Scientific Literature

This review aimed to identify the behavioral change techniques (BCTs) used in behavioral interventions for tobacco cessation at dental practices in relation to their effect on tobacco use. Six scientific databases were searched for behavior change interventions for tobacco cessation and were coded using the BCT taxonomy of behavioral support for smoking cessation (BCTTsm). Fifteen interventions were identified, and data related to intervention characteristics were abstracted. Sixteen BCTs were identified, mainly related to increased motivation and teaching regulatory skills. Goal setting was the most commonly used BCT. Ten out of fifteen interventions effectively impacted tobacco cessation outcomes (OR = 2 to 5.25). Effective interventions more frequently included goal setting, written materials, readiness to quit and ability assessment, tobacco-use assessment, self-efficacy boost, listing reasons for quitting, action planning and environment restructuring. Other BCTs were not clearly associated with an increased effect. Among the behavioral interventions, certain techniques were associated with successful tobacco quitting. Tobacco cessation interventions in a dental setting appear to benefit from using BCTs that increase motivation and teach regulatory skills. The identified BCTs in this review could provide a source to better inform researchers and dentists about the active ingredients in behavior change interventions for tobacco cessation in a dental setting.