Authors: J.G. Whittle¹; K.H. Lamden²

Source: Primary Dental Care, Volume 11, Number 3, 1 July 2004 , pp. 92-96(5)

Publisher: Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)

Abstract:

Purpose of the study: To ascertain the numbers of patients with pierced lips or tongues seen by dentists during routine consultations. The study also examined the provision of advice by dentists, and the nature of piercing-related complications.

Basic procedure: A postal questionnaire was sent to dentists in two Primary Care Trust areas in South Lancashire.

Main findings: Sixty-four of the 106 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 60%. Sixty-two dentists (96.9%) reported that they had seen patients with lip or tongue piercings during the previous 12 months and that they had seen a mean number of 2.8 patients with lip piercing and a mean of 9.0 patients with tongue piercing. A total of 56.5% of the dentists gave advice on oral hygiene and 79.0% on possible damage to the oral structures. Twenty-seven dentists (43.5%) said that their patients had oral health problems as a result of lip or tongue piercing.

Principal conclusions: The dentists who responded to the questionnaire commonly saw lip and tongue piercings. All dentists should therefore be prepared to offer appropriate advice. A public health information leaflet available in all medical and dental practices would help to ensure that patients were better informed about body piercing and its complications.

Keywords: LIP PIERCING; TONGUE PIERCING; GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1308/1355761041208494

Affiliations: 1: Consultant in Dental Public Health, Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust, Leyland, Lancashire UK 2: Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit, West Lancashire Primary Care Trust, Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK

Publication date: 2004-07-01

More about this publication?

• Primary Dental Care is the research journal of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), and the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated wholly to research in primary care dentistry. The aim of the journal is to promote academic and research aspects of primary dental care by publishing relevant peer-reviewed papers. In addition, reviews, reports of clinical cases, book reviews, opinions, summaries and abstracts of scientific meetings and news items are included.

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