Oral and Periodontal Manifestation of Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) Users in Khartoum Locality 2022-2023

Back ground: Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) can cause oral mucosal lesions such as keratosis, gingival inflammation, periodontal inflammation, alveolar bone damage, dental caries, tooth abrasion, staining of tooth structure, dysplasia, and oral cancer. Tobacco has been linked to severe consequences for overall health. Objective: To identify the oral and periodontal manifestation of smokeless tobacco (SLT) users in Khartoum locality. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital based study was done among 80current smokeless tobacco patients attending the outpatients and periodontology clinic in ACTH (Academy Charity Teaching Hospita), KDTH(Khartoum Dental Teaching Hospital), and alhekmah health center from January to March 2023, patients undergo oral examination after obtaining an informed consent, data collected using online Google form, pretested questionnaire and interviews. Data collected using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Results: The study included mostly male participants (97.5%), aged 18-29 years old (31.3%). With lower education levels (31.3%). and working as unskilled workers (47.5%). Most participants put the snuff at buccal mucosa (42.5%), used for less than 10 years (41.3%), for 1-5 minutes (52.5%), and 1 pack per day (56.3%). The majority had dental caries (66.3%) with class I predominance (53.8%), inflammation (97.5%), recession (67.5%), staining (78.8%), and halitosis (73.8%). Mucosal hypertrophy was the most common mucosal change (71.3%). There was a statistical association between start time and plaque index (P value = 0.008), and quantity in packs and pocket depth (P value = 0.013). Conclusions: The study revealed that SLT has sever and considerable adverse effects on oral health and periodontal tissues.