Dentists in Bradford and Airedale are increasingly playing a big part in helping smokers to quit.

A quarter of NHS dental practices in the district are now trained to offer advice and support to patients who want to stop smoking.

This good practice was highlighted in a document Smokefree and Smiling' which outlines new national guidance for dental teams on helping their patients to stop smoking.

It comes in advance of the introduction on July 1 of a ban on smoking in public places in England.

Advisers from the Stop Smoking Service, part of Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT), are training dental staff how to advise patients to get specialist support.

One patient who has been helped to quit by her dental practice, said: "I'd tried to stop smoking numerous times, but I had never managed to last longer than a few hours or days. However, this time motivation and support came via the hygienist at my dentist's."

Jenny Godson, consultant in dental public health at Bradford and Airedale tPCT, said: "A visit to the dentist is an ideal opportunity to talk about smoking and the very serious effects it has on the health and hygiene of peoples mouths, as well as their general health."

It is planned for more dental practices across the district to be trained up so they can help more people give up smoking for good, and improve the look and health of their smile.

For more information, contact your dental practice or call the Stop Smoking Service on 01274 363559, or contact your GP surgery to find out about practice-based support.