Abstract
THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was clinical and cytological examination of gingival changes in smokers and non-smokers. Further, specific goals of this study were health promotion in patient, particularly in smokers. METHODS: The anamnesis was taken and clinical examination was conducted on the patients who came on Dental Clinic. During the clinical examination, plaque index (Pl)(16), gingival index Löe-Silness (Gi) and the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN)(17) were done. After diagnosis was established, participants divided into group I -smokers, and group II - non-smokers. The gingival smears were taken for cytological analysis, dried on air, and stained by haematoxylin-eosin method. RESULTS: The values of gingival index (GI)- Löe-Silness and periodontal index (CPITN) were higher in the group of smokers, but plaque index was also higher with statistically significant difference of their values between examined group, with maximum level of significance (p<0,001). The size of nucleus (area, Ferret's diameter and perimeter) was higher in the group of smokers, but differences were not statistically significant. In the group of non-smokers density of nucleus was higher than in non-smokers group, but difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The values of examined indices showed higher values in smokers group. This finding could show that the level of oral hygiene is higher in the non smokers group. The size of nucleus (area, Ferret's diameter and perimeter) was higher in the group of smokers, but differences were not statistically significant. Teamwork of many different speciality experts is required for better periodontal health of smokers.