ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Medical & Dental College (IMDC), in collaboration with the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA), has strengthened efforts to integrate tobacco cessation into dental practice through a two-day capacity-building workshop supported by the FDI World Dental Federation.
Organised by IMDC's Department of Community Dentistry, the workshop was made possible through a competitive FDI grant secured by the department on behalf of the PDA, in collaboration with the college. The grant was among a select number awarded to National Dental Associations worldwide, giving the initiative an international dimension while supporting tobacco control efforts within Pakistan's dental community.
The proposal was developed and submitted by Dr. Saba Masoud, Head of the Department of Community Dentistry at IMDC, alongside Dr. Hajra Shahid and Prof. Dr. Maham Niazi, Principal of the Dental Section at IMDC and Director of Islamabad Dental Hospital (IDH).
It received the endorsement of Dr. Khurshid Ahmed, President of the PDA and Executive Director of Ghulam Akbar Khan (GAK) Institute. Under his leadership, collaboration between the PDA and IMDC was carried forward to support the initiative.
Facilitated by Dr. Saba Masoud and Dr. Khurram Latif, Head of the Department of Oral Medicine, the workshop was structured to equip different members of the dental workforce with practical skills to support patients seeking to quit tobacco use.
The first day brought together 50 participants, including PDA officials, practising dentists, faculty members, postgraduate trainees and house officers representing dental colleges across Islamabad. The second day extended the training to 10 chairside dental support staff, recognising the role of the wider dental team in supporting tobacco cessation during routine patient interactions.
Participants received training in the World Health Organization (WHO)- and FDI-recommended 5As and 5Rs models, using role-play exercises, case-based discussions and motivational interviewing techniques.
The 5As approach provides a structured framework for tobacco cessation support: Ask patients about tobacco use, Advise them to quit, Assess their willingness to make a quit attempt, Assist them in their efforts and Arrange follow-up.
The complementary 5Rs model helps dental professionals engage patients who are not yet ready to quit by exploring the relevance of quitting, the risks of continued tobacco use, the rewards of cessation, potential roadblocks and the need to revisit the discussion.
By incorporating practical exercises and communication techniques, the programme sought to strengthen participants' ability to initiate meaningful conversations about tobacco use and support patients through the process of quitting.
The decision to dedicate a separate training day to chairside support staff also broadened the initiative's scope beyond dentists and postgraduate trainees. It recognised that tobacco cessation conversations and preventive health messages can be reinforced through multiple interactions between patients and dental teams.
The workshop reflects the PDA and IMDC's shared commitment to preventive dentistry, tobacco control and strengthening the capacity of Pakistan's oral healthcare workforce. It also highlights the potential of international professional partnerships to translate competitive grant opportunities into practical training initiatives for dental professionals.
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