EVALUATING PATIENT AWARENESS OF SMOKING - RELATED ORAL HEALTH RISKSAMONG BATHINDARESIDENTS: A SURVEY- BASED STUDY

Background:Smoking poses serious risks to oral health, contributing to issues like gum disease, oral cancer, and impaired healing. However, many patients are not fully aware of these dangers. Aim and Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the level of awareness among dental patients regarding smoking & detrimental effects of smoking & to explore patients perceptions of how smoking affects their overall oral health. Materials and Methods:A questionnaire based observational survey was carried out among 160 participants in the Bathinda district. The questionnaire was distributed through online platforms. The self-made questionnaire was used to assess the level of awareness among the patients Results: The study assessed participants awareness of smokings effects on oral health, revealing varied levels of understanding. High awareness was noted for teeth staining, oral cancer risk, and decreased taste, while gaps existed regarding gum disease, second-hand smoke risks, and the role of dental visits in preventing smoking-related issues. Educational efforts are needed to address these gaps. Conclusion: The study reveals gaps in awareness of smokings serious oral health risks. Increased education and smoking cessation efforts are needed to improve patient outcomes.