During National Smile Month, Derby's dentists and dental surgery staff are supporting a new campaign to help smokers quit by offering them a free referral to get help from specialists.
Ten of the city's dental practices have already signed up for the new scheme in partnership with organisers Fresh Start , which is Derby's free NHS Stop Smoking Service, and more are expected to join.
Stop Smoking advisor Lucia White, from Fresh Start, which is part of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: "We wanted to work with dental practices to reach more people who may want help to stop smoking because there is a big link between smoking and oral health problems."
Dental practices are being invited to opt in to the initiative which is designed to make it as quick and easy as possible to refer patients to Fresh Start. Ms White added: "It is recognised that smokers are four times more likely to stop smoking with the sort of help that Fresh Start can offer, than by going it alone."
