Impacto do tabagismo na saúde bucal dos pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de clínica médica

Objective: To evaluate the impact of smoking on the oral health of patients attending the outpatient medical clinic of a reference hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period of September 2011 to July 2012 with 125 patients attending the ambulatory of the Federal University of Ceara. Patients were assessed through questionnaires regarding socio-demographic data, oral health quality and smoking habits. Data was analyzed using logistic regression and Pearson test, with p<0.05. Results: Patients’ mean age was 50 ±15.5 years and 52% (65) of them were female. As for the smoking habits, 28.8% (36) were current smokers, 28.8% (36) former smokers and 42.4% (53) non-smokers. It was observed that 53.3% (67) of the patients had lost more than five teeth in the last 10 years, 55.2% (69) had a change in the teeth color, 40% (50) reported halitosis and 54% (68) had ulcers or spots in the mouth. Teeth loss was more common for current smokers (86%) than among former smokers (63%) and non-smokers (24%). Smoking was found to be associated with tooth loss (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.09-6.93) and with change in the teeth color (OR 2.5; 95%CI 1.03-6.41). Conclusion: In the studied sample, smoking is associated with deterioration of oral health, thus causing on it a negative impact. doi:10.5020/18061230.2014.p37