APPLICATION OF THE FLUORESCENT DIAGNOSTIC METHOD IN ADOLESCENTS DURING PREVENTIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

Subject. Currently, oral mucosa (OM) diseases in children are quite common. Pediatric dentists bear special responsibility in diagnosing OM disorders since mucosal lesions exhibit distinct clinical manifestations at different age periods. The method of autofluorescence stomatoscopy (AFS) is highly sensitive to pathological changes in the mucous membrane. Medical examination of children is an important medical measure for the diagnosis and prevention of dental diseases. The study presents the results of the use of AFS during preventive medical examinations and demonstrates the effectiveness of the AFS method in adolescents in the diagnosis of oral diseases, especially lesions of the oral mucosa. Objectives. To evaluate the oral mucosa condition in adolescents using AFS and assess the relationship between detected pathologies and the harmful habit of using electronic smoking devices. Methodology. During mass preventive examinations, 4,696 adolescents aged 15-17 (mean 16±0.6 years) were examined over 14 months. An anonymous questionnaire was created to identify harmful habits among teenagers. Results. Oral mucosa disorders were found in 1,643 individuals (35%). Adolescents with identified OM pathologies completed the anonymous survey. Results showed 38% used electronic smoking devices at least once daily. In 48% of adolescents, areas of keratinization were found on the mucous membranes of the cheeks. Inflammatory diseases of periodontal tissues were found in 46% of the examined patients. 6% of the teenagers were healthy. Conclusions. Our findings suggest a connection between oral mucosal hyperkeratosis in adolescents and electronic smoking device use. Further research will provide deeper analysis of OM pathology prevalence related to vaping. The study demonstrates the need to implement AFS in pediatric dental practice for diagnosing oral mucosa diseases.