Perception and Attitude of Dental Students and Interns Regarding the Diagnosis and Management of Oral Mucosal Lesions and Salivary Glands Hypofunction

Background: The perception and attitude of dental students/graduates regarding diagnosing/managing oral medicine cases are scarcely investigated. Objective: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the level of confidence in diagnosing/managing cases of oral mucosal lesions and salivary glands hypofunction. Methods: A 29-items questionnaire descriptive survey was distributed among dental interns and sixth-year students in the city of Jeddah during March-April of 2020. Results: A total of 136 (81 interns and 55 sixth-year students) completed the questionnaire, of which 69.9% were from a government school, and 30.1% were from private schools. For oral mucosal lesions [i.e., aphthous/herpes simplex virus ulceration], the majority of government and private schools’ participants reported being confident in their ability to diagnose (88.4% and 87.8%, respectively) and provide treatment (63.2% and 56.1%, respectively). For oral candidiasis, the majority were confident in their ability to diagnose (government: 95.8%; private: 59.1%) and treat (government: 77.9%; private: 65.9%). The confidence in diagnosing lesions suspicious for dysplasia/premalignancy was high in 77.9% of government and 80.5% of private schools. Similar reporting was found regarding salivary hypofunctions (government: 93.7%; private: 90.2%). For the likeness to refer, the majority of participants were likely to refer to oral medicine, as the 1st choice, followed by oral surgery. Conclusion: Dental interns/sixth-year students seemed to have high levels of confidence in diagnosing/managing oral mucosal lesions and salivary hypofunctions. However, the partial participation and the subjectivity of reporting may have hindered capturing the full/precise picture.

Assessment of Oral Health Care Needs among Fishermen Living in North Chennai, India – A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Studies conducted among fishermen shows that there was a high prevalence rate in Oral mucosal lesions. However, data on oral health care needs among fisherman is scarce. Hence this was undertaken to obtain a data that can be used to plan programmes for the prevention and treatment of such oral mucosal lesions in the fishermen. Materials and Methods: A study was carried out among 71 fishermen after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee and concerned authorities. A self administered questionnaire is distributed among the study group comprising questions relating to personal history and deleterious habits. Clinical examination was carried out using mouth mirror, explorer and under proper illumination. Oral health examination was done using WHO Basic Oral health Assessment proforma, 2013. Data collected and analysed statistically using SPSS software. Results: Among the 71 fishermen, 56(78.9%) were males and 15 (21.1 %) were females. In the study population, 44(62%) were tobacco chewers, 39(54.9%) were snuff users, 24(33.8%) were alcohol consumers and 19(26.8%) were smokers. Smokeless tobacco (41.5%) was the most common deleterious habit after which by alcohol consumption (33.8%) and smoking (26.8%).The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 20.8%.It was found that statistically significant association existed between the deleterious habits and leukoplakia. Conclusion: According to the our study, the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 20.8% among the fishermen who had a clear association with deleterious habits such as tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption and snuff.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Oral Mucosal Lesions: A Retrospective Study of Patients Attending Oral Diagnosis Department of Siohs Karachi, Pakistan

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of different types of Oral Mucosal Lesions (OMLs) and to identify the associated risk factors. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of oral diagnosis in collaboration with the department of oral pathology SIOHS, Karachi Pakistan between January 2017 to December 2020. All cases of lesions and ulcers of the oral cavity were included in the study. Missing data were excluded. Diagnosed cases of oral mucosal lesions were documented. The data was then stratified according to the age groups, gender, symptoms, comorbidities, marital status, etc. Results: A mean age of 38.3 ± 11.86 years was observed. The subjects manifested multiple lesions with OSF standing as the most prevalent one at 29%, followed by aphthous ulcers at 20.2%, candidiasis at 14%, and nicotinic stomatitis at 10.4%. The majority of the patients with aphthous ulcers were significantly associated with young age while frictional keratosis was significantly associated with elderly age (p=0.002), respectively. 15 (93.8%) patients who were married were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.004) and stiffening of the mouth was significantly associated with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the increased occurrence of oral mucosal lesions with age is most likely attributable to an age-related decline in health status and is highly correlated to substance abuse; its amount, duration, type, and regularity. Keywords: oral mucosal lesion, carcinoma, gingiva, buccal, maxillofacial, tumor

Characteristics of Oral Mucosal Lesions and Their Association with Socioeconomic Status and Systemic Health in A Remote Rural Area in China: A Cross-Sectional Study of 146 Cases

Background: Epidemiological data of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are required to develop practical oral care policies. However, limited data are available for rural areas in China. We aimed to estimate the spectrum and prevalence of OMLs and to identify their associated socioeconomic status (SES) and systemic health in a remote rural area in Yunnan, China. Methods: We screened patients for OMLs in an oral medicine clinic in rural Yuannan, China, from August 2020 to February 2021. OMLs were documented. SES, including the highest education level achieved and the previous month’s household income, as well as the patient’s systemic health, including a history of smoking, alcohol use, and chronic disease, were obtained from the Medical History/Health Questionnaire Form and patient medical records. Results: A total of 146 patients were found to have OMLs. The most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer (n = 41, 28.1%), followed by burning mouth syndrome (BMS) (n = 16, 11.0%), viral ulcer (n = 14, 9.6%), and oral lichen planus (OLP) (n = 9, 6.2%). In these patients, the most common chronic diseases were sleep apnea (n = 35, 24.0%), hypertension (n = 23, 15.8%), bronchitis (n = 16, 11.0%), reflux (including gastroesophageal reflux disease) (n = 12, 8.2%), and arthritis (n = 11, 7.5%). On adjusted regression, the patients without chronic diseases had a lower risk of BMS than those with chronic diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.9). Age was an independent protective factor for viral ulcers (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9–1.0). Patients with low-income levels had a lower risk of OLP than those with high-income levels (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05–0.9). Conclusions: In rural Yunnan in China, the most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer, which was followed by BMS, viral ulcer, and OLP. Chronic diseases were associated with BMS. Age was an independent protective factor for oral viral ulcers. A high-income level was associated with the presence of OLP. Oral care policies should be prioritized among patients with aphthous ulcer. Preventive strategy of BMS should be targeted to people with chronic disease for health equalities.

Ulcerative Lesions of the Oral Cavity

Apart from dental and periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions are also frequently encountered by both general dentists and dental specialists in outpatient clinics. Although these soft tissue lesions may only reveal a localized issue, sometimes they may be the only sign of a more serious underlying systemic condition. Thus, oral ulcerations pose a unique diagnostic challenge for healthcare providers and should be cautiously handled when they last for more than two weeks, even after any possible traumatic etiologies are eliminated. There are many different classifications regarding oral ulcerations based on their etiologic or clinical features. In order to provide a logical and simple stepwise guidance to accurate diagnosis, this chapter will categorize and explain these lesions based on their clinical properties.

Lip Lumps Need not be mucocele

Lip lesions are the most common oral mucosal lesions. Mucocele is the second most common benign soft tissue masses of the lips only next to infectious etiology. Tumors of the minor salivary glands of the lip were a rare diagnosis made clinically. Excision and histopathological examination must be done for all the lip lumps as this remains the gold standard for the diagnosis. In this article, we discuss three lip lumps which were clinically suspected as mucocoele turned out to be an unexpected diagnosis which only became clear following excision and histological examination.

The Rate of Oral Lesions in Infants and Neonates Attend Maternity and Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah City

Background: The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in infants and neonates is still a matter of debate. Objective: To find the frequency of oral mucosal lesions in children from Sulaymaniyah city. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Maternity and Pediatrics Teaching Hospitals in Sulaymaniyah city. Twohundred children aged from birth to two years old were randomly selected. Demographic features, mode of delivery, pattern of feeding, and type and site of oral mucosal lesions, were recorded. Results: Male: female ratio was 1.06:1, and 64% were delivered by cesarean section. Significant differences were present between breastfeeding with the mode of delivery and age of the infants. Oral mucosal lesions were observed in 64.5% of children at 141 sites. 30% of lesions are located at median palatine raphe. The diagnosis of 30% of oral mucosal lesions was Epstein pearls, and 16% were Bohn’s nodule. The oral mucosal lesions were more frequently seen in children within the first week. Conclusion: About three-quarters of children was afflicted with oral mucosal lesions. Besides, Epstein pearls and Bohn’s nodule were among the most frequent diagnosis. Further, ages of a week or less afflicted more with congenital oral mucosal lesions. Keywords: Oral mucosal lesion, Oral developmental cyst, Infant, Neonates, Sulaymaniyah

Oral Health Effects among Conventional Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Smoking among Users in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: The use of e cigarettes is on the rise in the Middle East Countries and Saudi Arabia especially.This study aims to evaluate the oral mucosal lesions caused due to electronic cigarette smoking (ECS) use and oral health, including ‘gingival pain and/or bleeding’, ‘tongue and/or inside-cheek pain’, and ‘cracked or broken teeth’ among adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 1300 participant in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia using a reliable and valid online questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed by the investigators and Google forms were used to collect the information. The questions were grouped into categories relating to socio-demographic data (age, gender), type of cigarette smoking (conventional, E-cigarette or booth), and cigarette smoking behavior (frequency). Results: It was observed from the present study that even though oral mucosal lesions were more in conventional cigarette smokers but e cigarettes were not the safe option as it has ill effects also. Females used e cigarettes more (30.7%) as compared to males (28.2%). Statistically significant results were obtained for change in color of gingival, disturbed feeling in the tongue (p<0.000). Conclusion: The usage of e cigarettes was seen more among females than males. The oral health effects and especially the change in color, dryness of the oral cavity and discoloration of the teeth were seen more with the conventional cigarettes users than the e cigarettes users. E cigarettes were also associated with ill effects of the oral cavity.