A Comparison of Oral Health Status in Active-, Occasional- and Non- Smoker Patients Versus Students

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this case-control study was to assess the smoker and non-smoker patients' oral health status versus students. Methods: The study was based on a clinical examination of 210 young adults (118 women, 92 men) aged between 22-32 years. 105 of these were students in the 5 th and 6 th grade of the Faculty of Dentistry in Tîrgu Mureș and the control group was represented by patients. Patients and students were classifi ed into three groups: non-smokers, occasional-and active smokers. The clinical examination evaluated the dental caries, fi llings, extractions, crowns, root remnants and dental plaque. DMF-S index scores were calculated, and with its help the index of treatment need, dental care index and intensity of caries were determined. Results: The dental treatment need index, DMF-S index and intensity of caries showed increased values in patients. Root remnants (p <0.0001), decay (p = 0.0473) and dental plaque (p = 0.0363) were much higher in the group of active smoker students as in the non-smoker students. Among active smoker patients the incidence of dental calculus (p = 0.0005), of root remnants (p = 0.0022) and of fi llings (p = 0.0441) showed a higher value than in the non-smokers. Conclusions: This study showed that compared with non-student patients, in dental students, a better oral hygiene was coupled with healthier teeth and periodontal. Poor oral hygiene together with smoking seems to worsen the oral health status.