ORAL HEALTH STATUS IN PATIENT WITH ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, IN RURAL POPULATION

Introduction: Poor oral hygiene is believed to play a role as a risk factor for oral cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with poor oral health status, various oro-mucosal lesions. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are the major risk factors for the oral cancer. Other etiologic risk factors include socioeconomic status, maintenance of oral health and diet. Objectives: To study the status of oral and dental health in patient with oral squamous cell carcinoma and identify means of maintaining of oral health and deleterious habits in rural population which may be associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma, to study any mucosal lesion which transform into oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials And Method: A total 130 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients were screened. Questionnaires were used to inquire about education, deleterious habits. Oromucosal lesions by clinical examination. Result: Majority of patients were uneducated(48.5%), have deleterious habits(89.2%), other oromucosal lesions present(75.4%), Conclusion: Deleterious habits, lack of dental visits, poor oral and dental health, lack of education, poor socioeconomic status associated with increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma.