engleski

The effect of tobacco use on oral health and dental readiness in the Croatian Army

Dental emergencies have been recorded during many conflicts as a significant non-battle casualty factor. The aim of the current study is to describe tobacco use as a risk factor in the development of periodontal disease as a contributive factor in the dental emergency and dental readiness among Croatian Army personnel. This prospective randomized cross-sectional study followed a total of 884 soldiers, 650 conscripts and 234 professional active veterans. After clinical oral examination soldiers were categorized in dental readiness classes, and questionnaire was filled in about tobacco use. Overall 62.7% of soldiers reported current smoking, with a higher prevalence of smokers among recruits than among veterans. The results showed statistically significant difference between smokers and non-smokers in dental readiness, supragingival and subgingival calculus, gingivitis, and in Class 3 dental fittnes. Recruits group smoked more (63.8%) than veterans group (59.4%), but the results of daily cigarette smoking and duration of smoking habits showed a greater prevalence among veterans than among conscripts. These results highlight the importance of oral health prevention program development in the Croatian Army. Both groups of soldiers were characterized by a higher percentage of periodontal health problems and decreased combat readiness compared to their fellow soldiers who did not smoke. This indicates a dire need for cigarette smoking prevention and cessation programs.

military personnel ; addictive behavior ; periodontal disease ; oral health ; dental readiness ;

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