Prevalence and Awareness of Halitosis in a Sample of Jordanian Population

Overview

Journal J Int Soc Prev Community Dent

Date 2015 Jan 28

PMID 25625076

Citations 15

Authors

Mohammad M Hammad

Azmi Mg Darwazeh

Haider Al-Waeli

Bassel Tarakji

Teeb T Alhadithy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and awareness of halitosis among the subjects of a population, and also to compare the results of Halimeter(®) readings to self-estimation of halitosis and to assess the relationship between halitosis and oral health.

Materials And Methods: A sample of 205 employees from the Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST) were selected as study subjects. A standardized questionnaire focusing on dental hygiene, self-reported halitosis, and smoking was filled by all participants. In the clinical examination, the objective values for assessment of oral health and the presence of halitosis were gathered through an organoleptic test (OLT) and the measurement of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) level by Halimeter for each participant.

Results: The prevalence of halitosis was 78%, with low rate of awareness (20.5%). The amount of TC played the most important role in increasing the concentration of VSCs in mouth air (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: A statistically significant correlation was found between OLT and Halimeter values (P < 0.001). Subjective patients' opinion did not correlate with the objective evaluation of halitosis. TC scores and smoking were the factors significantly associated to halitosis. The Halimeter showed promising characteristics regarding diagnosis of halitosis for clinical setting and field surveys.

Citing Articles

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Accuracy of two methods to detect the presence of halitosis: the volatile sulfur compounds concentration in the mouth air and the information from a close person.

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