Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions in Children between 0–13 years – An Evaluative Study

INTRODUCTION: Lesions and diseases of children are always a continuous source of interest in general medicine and dentistry. The pattern and symptoms of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) seem to be different in the paediatric population compared to those of an adult. Understanding their prevalence helps in early detection and management. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of OMLs and assess gender-related differences among children aged 0-13 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The children were clinically examined by trained professionals for the presence of OMLs using the standard diagnostic criteria. Lesions were recorded based on clinical appearance and categorised accordingly. RESULTS: Out of the 1024 children examined, 73 were found to have OMLs, resulting in an overall prevalence of 7.12%. A slight male predominance was observed among affected children, with 54.79% ( n = 40) being boys and 45.21% ( n = 33) girls. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a 7.12% prevalence of OMLs among children aged 0-13 years, with a higher occurrence in boys. These findings highlight the importance of routine oral screening in paediatric populations for early identification and intervention.