Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in Missan Governorate

Background : The purpose of this study was to find out the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in Missan governorate and to find out the possible associated factors related to such prevalence. Materials and methods : The sample consisted of 8061 subjects 5-84 years old who randomly selected from different places in Missan governorate over a period of 5 months examined for oral mucosal lesions. Clinical classification performed according to WHO guidelines in November, 29/1995. Results : Among the 5-84 year old subjects the overall prevalence of OML was found to be 4.64 %. Recurrent aphthae condition was observed most frequently (1.99 %) followed by herpes labial is (0.93 %), geographic tongue (0.84 %). denture stomatitis (0.36 %), lichen planus (0.19 %), hairy tongue (0.08 %) oral leukoplakia (0.07 %), angular chelitis and median rhomboidal glossitis (0.06 %), pseudo membranous (0.03) and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (0.01 %). Mucosal lesions like tobacco-related lesions (oral lichen planus, oral leukoplakia), herpes labial is, tongue lesions and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis were more prevalent among men than women. Denture stomatitis and recurrent aphthae were more common among women population. Conclusion : Lesion prevalence differed significantly by age, sex, race / ethnicity, denture wearing and tobacco use. Diagnosis of the wide variety of lesions that occur in the oral cavity is an essential part of dental practice. The most common oral mucosal lesions is recurrent aphthous ulcer (1.997 %) followed by oral herpes (0.93 %) and the least prevalent oral mucosal lesions is acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.