PREVALENCE OF SMOKELESS TOBACCO USE AND CLINICAL ORAL LEUKOPLAKIA IN A MILITARY POPULATION

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and clinical leukoplakia in a specific military populatio n. Two hundred fourteen soldiers participated in this study. Each part icipant completed a questionnaire-type survey regarding tobacco use an d received an annual-type dental examination that included extra-oral and intra-oral examination of hard and soft tissues and counseling reg arding the risks associated with the use of tobacco. More than 50% of the participants were between the ages of 18 and 24. Survey response i ndicated that 7.0% used smokeless tobacco, 29.0% smoked cigarettes, an d 7.9% used both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Leukoplakia was see n in 4 of the current smokeless tobacco users, Difficulty in cessation was experienced by 10 of 32 smokeless tobacco users; 5 continue to us e smokeless tobacco. Due to the concentration of users in the 18 to 24 age group, efforts toward detection and reduction of smokeless tobacc o use should be focused on junior ranks and younger age groups.