1Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
2Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
3Under-graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
4Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
5Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Nitin Gupta Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D Y Patil Vidyapeeth Dr. D Y Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune-18 Phone No.: 7676474377 Email: nitsg88@gmail.com
Online published on 5 May, 2018.
The study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude and practice on tobacco consumption among school children.
The study was carried out among 11–15 years old school children in two stages which included questionnaire administration and oral examination.
Out of 566 students 8.83% were tobacco users, out of which 0.06% of girls reported tobacco use and16.78%boys were smokers, which was significantly higher in males as compared to females. There was a decrease in age of initiation of tobacco abuse to 11.5years The most common oral findings were tobacco related stains (5.3%), hyperkeratosis (1.9%), smoker's palate and discolouration (1.5%). A striking presence of oral potentially malignant disorder like leukoplakia (0.8%) was found.
Based on these results, more emphasis should be given on conducting anti-tobacco awareness programs for school children.
Leukoplakia, Potentially malignant disorders, School children, Tobacco habit
