Yoshiki Ishigaki

A national opinion study supports tobacco cessation by oral health professionals in Japan

Background: Oral health professionals (OHPs) could have an important role in contributing to tobacco-dependence treatment of patients who visit dental clinics. How the public may perceive the role of OHPs in this capacity, however, has not been formally evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess national awareness and receptivity among Japanese in terms of the implementation of tobacco cessation counseling and treatment (TCCT) by OHPs in dental settings covered by National Health Insurance (NHI). The study participants’ awareness and knowledge on tobacco-related health disparities were also examined. Method: A questionnaire survey was used to assess the opinions among patients who visited hospital dental and oral and maxillofacial departments and private dental clinics (n = 27) spread across several prefectures in Japan on their acceptance if tobacco cessation services were given by dentists and dental hygienists. Result: Overall, 963 survey sheets were eligible for the analysis. To the inquiry on tobacco-related oral diseases (TRODs), majority were aware of tooth staining (85%) and bad breathe (80%). However, less than half of respondents were aware of oral cancer (47%) and only 32% of oral precancer. OHPs were acceptable to the majority of respondents for TCCT: ≥70 age-group (84%), ex-smokers (84%) or never smokers (81%), never drinkers (83%), and students (86%). Paradoxically, current smokers (60%) were less likely to accept OHP for TCCT. However, those willing to quit within a month (89%) were willing to accept any help from OHP than those with no decision to quit (58%) (p = 0.029). Conclusion: The result of this nationwide survey in Japan supported an expansion of duties of OHPs to provide TCCT to dental patients covered by NHI. Japanese patients who were willing to quit smoking were likely to accept TCCT in a dental setting, supporting the scheme for the introduction of tobacco control in dentistry.

Creating a smoke-free society for members of the Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

In 2003, the Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (JSOMS) issued “Promoting AntiSmoking Declaration” and recognized the results of 14 years of research and experience. Since then, scientific evidence of the health hazards of smoking on oral diseases has been recognized globally. In this regard, OMS members are encouraged to quit smoking and encourage smoking cessation in their patients. At the 2016 61st General Meeting of the JSOMS, the Committee for Tobacco-Free Society (CTFS) held a symposium titled, “Creating a smoke-free society of members.” The objective of this review is to summarize the symposium and encourage our colleagues to create a smoke-free society. Because tobacco use and oral diseases, such as oral cancer and precancer, are strongly associated, OMSs are expected to provide and encourage appropriate tobacco cessation support and consecutive treatment as an integral part of comprehensive surgical management. However, there is a gap between Japanese and American OMSs in terms of smoking frequencies as well as tobacco cessation activities of their patients with respect to tobacco-related oral diseases. In addition, smoking should be banned in all dental schools and their campuses, and tobacco cessation outpatient clinics in OMS departments should be instituted. The CTFS of the JSOMS promotes a smoke-free society of members and supports tobacco abstinence. In order to achieve this, undergraduate dental education systems should be promoted regarding tobacco prevention and cessation and continuing training opportunities such as e-learning should be established. All health personnel are responsible for maximizing efforts to create a smoke-free society in their organizations. In 2016, a proposal in the “White Paper on Tobacco, Japan” is encouraging further efforts by the JSOMS to promote tobacco cessation in dental practices covered by the National Health Insurance in collaboration with the Japan Dental Association and other dental societies. We are confident that a strong stand on smoking cessation by OMSs will greatly influence future dental care in Japan. 総 説 第 61 回総会 脱タバコ社会実現委員会ミニシンポジウム 「本学会員の非喫煙化」

A case of lipoma of the buccal mucosa

Lipoma is generally regarded as a benign nonepithelial tumor consisting of mature adipose cells. Although lipoma is said to develop everywhere adipose tissues physiologically exist, it frequently develops in the subcutaneous tissues of extremities and trunk. Therefore the incidence of lipoma of mouth is relatively low. The author experienced a case of lipoma which developed in the buccal mucosa and reported the treatment course. The patient was a 70-year-old female who presented herself in the department of oral surgery with a chief complaint of a mass in the right buccal mucosa. She was treated in the outpatient clinic and underwent tumorectomy under local anesthesia. According to the histopathological findings, the lipoma was a subepithelial tumor with well-defined margins comprising uncapsulated mature fat particles. The connective tissue components were interspersed with part of the lipoma. In view of these findings, the author made a diagnosis of simple lipoma. The patient showed no signs of recurrence and made steady progress after the surgery.