Dental School SBIRT Curriculum – Foundational Training for Substance Use Disorders-MODULE 2

MODULE 2_Tobacco Case.

Pdf Summary

This document is a case-based training module for dental students on screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for tobacco use, using motivational interviewing principles. The case centers on Ms. Mandon, a 50-year-old dental patient who initially presents for routine care and cosmetic concerns, denies smoking and other substance use, but later admits to smoking cigarillos socially and several times per day. Oral findings suggest tobacco-related effects, including palatal white patches consistent with stomatitis nicotina, plaque, calculus, and mild white lesions on teeth.<br /><br />The module guides learners through an SBIRT approach: raising the subject, providing feedback, enhancing motivation, and negotiating a plan. It emphasizes using open-ended, patient-centered, nonjudgmental questions to explore smoking patterns, concerns, perceived pros and cons, and readiness to change. Discussion prompts ask students how they would address tobacco use, interpret the patient’s initial nondisclosure, and reflect on differences between less effective and more effective clinician communication.<br /><br />A role-play exercise follows, where students work in groups of three to practice clinician, patient, and observer roles using the MD3 scale to evaluate performance. The module recommends a respectful, conversational style that explores ambivalence, reflects emotions and content, involves the patient in problem-solving, and offers alternative plans if quitting attempts fail.<br /><br />The lesson also includes multiple-choice questions covering tobacco pharmacology, health risks, cessation success rates, nicotine replacement therapy, screening tools, and tobacco-related carcinogens. References and funding information are provided, noting SAMHSA support.

Keywords

SBIRT

tobacco use

motivational interviewing

dental students

smoking cessation

nicotine replacement therapy

oral lesions

patient-centered communication

stomatitis nicotina

role-play training