RESEARCH PAPER
Comparative Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence-Based Consultation, Personal Counseling, and Usual Care for Tobacco Cessation and Oral Health Outcomes among Adult Smokers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Public Health Dentistry,
Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre,
Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, UP, India
Submission date: 2026-01-11
Final revision date: 2026-06-10
Acceptance date: 2026-07-18
Online publication date: 2026-08-06
Corresponding author
Monika Kumari
Public Health Dentistry, Ph.D Scholar,
Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre
Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, UP, India
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ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco is still the foremost preventable factor that contributes to both morbidity and mortality rates globally and is strongly linked to oral disorders such as periodontitis, gum inflammation, poor oral hygiene practices and oral mucosal lesions. The advent of digital approaches like artificial intelligence for smoking cessation can enhance the quitting process due to its customized, efficient, and accessible behavioral help. Objective: This study aims to compare the impact of AI consultation, personal counseling, and verbal education in smoking cessation and oral health. Material and methods: A 6-month prospective randomized control trial was carried out on 138 adult smokers within the age range of 35-44 years old. The participants were divided equally into three groups (n=46 each): Group A (AI consultation), Group B (personal counseling), and Group C (usual care). The key outcome measure was biochemical confirmation of smoking cessation after 6 months through the measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide levels. Other measures included Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Gingival Index (GI), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), tobacco-induced oral lesions, participation, and satisfaction. Statistical analysis included chi-square test and one-way ANOVA. Results: After 6 months, the highest quit rates were found to be among the AI consultation (58.7± 4.8) and the personal counseling (39.1± 4.2) groups, with no cessation among the verbal education. There were significant gains in the OHI-S and GI scores for both intervention groups compared to the control (p<0.001). Less intergroup variation occurred with regard to the CPI scores throughout the follow-up period. The greatest participant satisfaction scores occurred in the AI group. Conclusions: In comparison to personal consultation and usual care, artificial intelligence was more effective in encouraging smoking cessation, engaging participants, and improving certain oral health parameters. Artificial intelligence may be employed successfully as an additional method for tobacco cessation programs in the future.