Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients attending college of dentistry – Basrah University

Abstract

Background: The aim of study was to find out the prevalence of oral mucosallesions in patients who are attending the oral diagnosis department of the Collegeof Dentistry – Basrah University and compare it with the prevalence rates ofthese lesions in other parts of Iraq.Materials and Method: Oral examination of 2318 outpatients, 1202 females (51.8%)and 1116 males (48.2%). The patient's age ranged between 9-74 years. All thepatients of this study referred to oral diagnosis department, College of Dentistry,Basrah University seeking for dental treatment (from October 2010-May 2011).Results: Among the 2318 patients, only 206 patients (8.8%) had oral lesions. 115males had oral lesion constituted 4.9% of total examined patients, while 91females had oral lesion constituted 3.9%. The age range of the patients wasbetween 9-74 years.Oral lesions were more prevalent among males (4.9%) than females (3.9%), andthere was significant statistical difference between males and females. Orallesions were classified according to the following 4 categories: ulcerated lesions(3.84%), benign lesions (2.93%) ,white lesions (1.12%) and candidiasis (0.99%),The most common oral lesion of the studied populations were the ulceratedlesions, which diagnosed in (3.8%).There were a significant statistical differencebetween males and females in the traumatic ulcer, lichen planus, pyogenicgranuloma and peripheral giant cell granuloma.Conclusions: This study has provided information about the epidemiologic aspects oforal mucosal lesions that may prove valuable in planning of future oral healthstudies.