Oral and perioral piercings: Awareness and knowledge among undergraduate dental students in a private dental college, Haryana

Abstract

Background: Oral and perioral piercings are now commonly seen in young adults leading to various types of complications. Undergraduate dental students are the most immediate group with peers belonging to this age criteria thus their knowledge regarding oral piercings and related complications is of utmost concern. Aim: The present study was conducted among undergraduate dental students in a private dental college in Haryana to determine the knowledge and awareness of oral and perioral procedures and their complications. Materials and Methods: A closed ended questionnaire was circulated online using Google forms. Total 145 dental undergraduate students of a private college participated in this survey. Total 10 questions were asked from the students and the data was then presented in form of pie charts and bar diagrams. Result: The subjects had a fair knowledge and awareness about oral and perioral piercing procedures and their associated complications. Only 71.6% responded that there exists complications and many students were unaware of the fact that gingival recession, Ludwig’s angina, endocarditis etc. are some serious complications which result as a sequelae of such piercings. Moreover only 72% students had familiarity that oral hygiene practices changes after getting oral piercing and rest were unfamiliar with this truth. Conclusion: These undergraduate students had a decent awareness and knowledge about the oral and perioral piercings. But as oral and perioral piercings have potential oral health hazard, we wish to recommend that it should be not encouraged and request the dental fraternity to discourage the same. Keywords: Oral piercing, perioral piercing, complications