The HSE is being urged to give dentists a key role in the development of its tobacco control strategy.

According to the Irish Dental Association (IDA), while many people are aware of the dangers of smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer, they are not as familiar with the damage tobacco can cause to oral health.

Currently in Ireland, oral cancer kills two people every week, with smokers who drink alcohol at the greatest risk. Furthermore, smoking affects the healing of wounds and can lead to dry socket, a painful condition that can last up to two weeks after a tooth is extracted.

Dental implants are also known to be less successful in people who smoke, not to mention the staining of teeth and bad breath that smoking can cause.

"Smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer and in Ireland one in three adults smoke. Sweden is the only country in Europe which has reached the World Health Organisation target of reducing the number of adults smoking to one in five," said Dr Peter Gannon, chair of the IDA's GP Committee.

Speaking at the IDA's annual conference in Galway, he insisted that it was ‘no coincidence that Swedish dentists played a key role in that country's tobacco control strategy'.

"Dentists are ideally placed to advise and encourage patients on the dangers of smoking and I would urge the HSE to work with the IDA so we can devise a fully effective tobacco control strategy," Dr Gannon said.

He pointed out that dentists carry out cancer screening as part of their routine examinations of patients.

"That is why it is very important that people avail of the free annual oral examination which most adults are entitled to. If oral cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is around 85%. This drops with later detection. Dentists can also demonstrate to patients who smoke the effects it has on their oral health with the use of an intra oral camera and other aids,' he explained.

Meanwhile, Dr Gannon also highlighted the detrimental effects cutbacks to the public dental service are having on children and people with special needs.

"For example, school screenings should take place in 2nd, 4th and 6th class. When this happens issues are spotted early and dentists can also advise young people on good oral health practice, such as the dangers of smoking. Now, due to the moratorium on hiring new staff, in many parts of the country, these screenings don't take place until 6th class or until the children are in their teens," he noted.

He said at that stage, it is ‘too late'.

"Our children have the highest consumption of sweets of any country in Europe and if they are not seen until 12 or 13, much of the damage has already been done.

"If children have dental issues the lack of screening affects their ability to get on orthodontic waiting lists, not to mention their quality of life in their formative years, with many experiencing lack of confidence, isolation or name calling," he explained.

He added that staff levels in the public dental system are down 20% over the last few years and young people, those with special needs and older people ‘are suffering the consequences'.

"This isn't right and it can't be allowed to continue," Dr Gannon told the conference.