Abstract
BACKGROUND: The oral health needs of older adults must be prioritized due to the shifting demographics of the population and rising life expectancy. This study investigated the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) among geriatric dental patients in a sample of the Egyptian population and explored the association with age, gender, smoking habit, as well as the impact on the quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study screened 300 geriatric dental patients aged 65 years or older, from several dental hospitals and mobile clinics in various regions in Egypt. Demographic data and information regarding denture use, systemic diseases, and smoking habits were recorded. A clinical examination was conducted, and the quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-5 (OHIP-5) score. RESULTS: OMLs were found in 59.3% of the cases studied. The most prevalent OML in the studied population was coated tongue, and the least frequent was oral cancer. The buccal mucosa was the most frequently affected location. OMLs had a profound impact on the quality of life. Male gender, heavy smoking, the presence of medical conditions, and denture use were significant predictors of the presence of OMLs. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the prevalence of oral lesions in geriatric patients was 59.3%. The most prevalent OML in the studied population was coated tongue, and the least frequent was oral cancer. OMLs had a profound impact on the quality of life. The prevalence of OMLs was found to be strongly linked to systemic diseases, heavy smoking, and male gender.