Determination of Oral Health Status in Patients Admitted to a University Hospital: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Aims: Oral mucosa, tongue, dentition and bone are important parameters for oral and systemic health care. A wide variety of lesions and conditions, either harmless or harmful, can affect the oral cavity. Identification and treatment of these conditions are an important part of oral health care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the general oral health status, by assessing the prevalence and types of mucosal, tongue, dental and jaw lesions, in a group of patients. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in a group of 314 dental outpatients. Participants’ oral mucosal, tongue, dental, jaw lesions and their locations were recorded. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Three hundred and fourteen patients (40,1% female, 59,9% male), 148 (47,1%) of whom exhibited one or more mucosal lesions, 40 (12,7%) tongue lesions, 242 (77,1%) one or more acquired dental conditions, 61 (19,4%) one or more dental anomalies, and 22 (7%) bone manifestations in the jaws. The most commonly detected mucosal lesions were Fordyce’s granules (20,1%), linea alba buccalis (16,9%), melanoplakia (15,9%), and frictional keratosis (2,5%). Fissured tongue (8%), geographic tongue (1,6%), lingual varicosity (1,3%) and coated tongue (1,3%) were the most commonly determined tongue lesions. The most commonly detected dental anomalies were hypodontia (6,1%), microdontia (4,1%), dilaceration (4,1%), and enamel hypoplasia (2,5%). Exostoses (4,1%), enostoses (1%) and fibro-osseous lesions (1%) were the most commonly detected bone manifestations in the jaws. Conclusions: Oral mucosal and tongue lesions could be a sign of systemic diseases and also could form a base for oral cancers. In this study oral mucosal lesions and tongue lesions prevalence were high but fortunately all the detected conditions were harmless, benign conditions. This emphasizes the importance of familiarity, awareness, and differentiation of these lesions and conditions to avoid unnecessary treatments.