Adverse Habits and Oral Mucosal Lesions in Prisoners of Lucknow

Abstract

Objectives: Oral health is an integral part of general health. It has long been recognized that preventive oral care is important in the prevention of oral diseases, which also has significant impact on general health. The prisoners also deserve equal rights for their oral health attention. So this study was planned to assess the adverse habits and oral mucosal lesions of prisoners of Lucknow city. Basic research design: This is a cross sectional survey, with a sample size of 1011 (826 males and 185 females) prisoners. Prisoners who were in the jail for more than 3 years have been included in this study. Results: Almost all 98.6% inmates had adverse habits, exclusively use of tobacco (chewable + smoking). In male’s gingival condition and oral sub mucous fibrosis was present in 79.2% inmates. In female inmates leukoplakia was present in 1.7%. Most common location for oral mucosal lesion was alveolar ridge/ gingiva- 96.6% followed by buccal mucosa 40.9%. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of tobacco use (chewable + smoking) and also high prevalence of oral mucosal lesions. A long term oral health education programme is required as a part of effective preventive dental programmes to increase in awareness of oral health among prisoners.