The Hidden Costs of Smoking: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions Among Smoking Dental Patients at Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt | ||
| PUA Dental Journal | ||
| Article 1, Volume 01, Issue 011, October 2025, Pages 1-15 PDF (877.34 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/puadent.2025.425756.1007 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Nermine Elbahey1; Yahia Gaber2; Amira Elsaid2; Abdelrahman Shawky2; Abdelrahman Mohamed2; Wedad Nawar* 3; Amany Nour Eldin1 | ||
| 1Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University in Alexandria | ||
| 2Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University in Alexandria | ||
| 3Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Tobacco smoking is a major global public health issue, with well-documented detrimental effects on oral health. Egypt represents a significant area of concern, being the largest cigarette market in the Arab world. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of smoking and its correlation with oral health symptoms and lesions among patients attending dental clinics in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 adults, aged 21 years and above, with no systemic diseases at Pharos University dental clinics. Data were collected via a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. This was supplemented by a clinical oral examination to identify mucosal lesions. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel v16.0. Results: The participant cohort was predominantly male (75.2%). The prevalence of current smokers was 68% (n=151), with males constituting 90.1% of this group. A significant majority of smokers (59.6%) reported noticing oral lesions, with 72% affirming their onset occurred during their smoking period. The most common symptoms reported were pain (58.9%), ulcers (46.4%), and bleeding (39.7%). A clear dose-response relationship was observed, with higher daily tobacco consumption correlating with increased symptom prevalence. Clinical examination identified manifestations consistent with tobacco use, including leukoplakia, smoker’s melanosis, and black hairy tongue. Conclusion: This study confirms a high prevalence of smoking and a strong association between tobacco use and the development of oral mucosal lesions and symptoms among dental patients in Alexandria. The findings underscore the critical role of dental professionals in early detection, patient education, and the promotion of smoking cessation programs. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Smoking; Tobacco Use; Oral Mucosal Lesions; Oral Health; Cross-Sectional Studies | ||
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