The Correlation between the Frequency of Oral Lesions and the Amount of Smokeless Tobacco Usage in Patients Referred to Oral Medicine Department of Zahedan Dental School

Statement of Problem: The increasing use of smokeless tobacco in the last 15 years has motivated researchers to evaluate its impact on its user’s health. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of oral lesions related to smokeless tobacco and any possible correlation between the frequency of oral lesions and the amount of usage in patients referred to Zahedan Dental School. Materials and Method: A total of 90 (77 male and 13 female) cases, all snuff consumers, were surveyed in this cross sectional study which was accomplished by employing questionnaires. The questionnaire included demographic information, type and amount of smokeless tobacco used and the location where it was placed in the mouth. The completion of the questionnaires was followed by oral clinical examinations of patients. The location of any lesion found in soft tissue, was recorded in questionnaire. Results: The mean age for men and women was 47.7 and 55.61, respectively. A total of 38 cases (29 males, 9 females) were found to have oral lesions. 26 patients were using the snuff one pack per day. The common site of lesions was lower buccal sulcus. From 38 lesions, 32 lesions were found at the site of snuff placement. Most of the lesions were degree 1 and white in color. After taking biopsy from 32 lesions, 26 cases were detected as hyperkeratotic and 6 cases as epithelial dysplasia. Conclusion: This study showed that use of snuff is very common in Zahedan and usage of this material can produce oral lesions. There is not a significant correlation between the frequency of oral lesions and the amount of usage.