Prevalence of oromucosal lesions in relation to tobacco habit among a Western Maharashtra population

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the number and types of oromucosal lesions (OMLs) in relation to tobacco habits in patients who attended the outpatient department. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1730 patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were interviewed and screened for tobacco habits (smoking and smokeless). Clinical oral examination was conducted with diagnostic instruments using the Color Atlas of Common Oral Diseases as a guide for diagnosis. When clinical features were not diagnostic, a biopsy was done. RESULTS: Of the 1730 outpatients, 975 (56.3%) individuals used tobacco in one or other forms and 687 (70.4%) of these had OMLs. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide important information on the prevalence of OMLs in patients seeking dental care. This provides baseline data for future studies on the prevalence of oral lesions in the general population.