Abstract:
The main objective of the present study was to determine the periodontal status of male
smokers and betel chewers in a rural community in the Kandy district of Sri Lanka and
compare it with that of male non tobacco users of the same community. Multiple linear
regression analysis of data disclosed that both smokers and betel chewers had significantly
higher levels of bacterial plaque than non tobacco users notwithstanding age, oral hygiene
practices and socio -economics status. The gingival inflammation was significantly greater
in betel chewers than in smokers and non tobacco users independent of age, oral hygiene
and socio -economics factors. Moreover, periodontal pocket depths were significantly
deeper in smokers than in betel chewer and non tobacco users regardless of oral hygiene and
socio- demographic factors. However, there were no significant effects of smoking and betel
chewing per se on loss of epithelial attachment when controlled for oral hygiene, age and
socio - economic factors. Nevertheless the effect of the quantity of tobacco used per se on
loss of attachment was statistically significant even after controlling for age, oral hygiene
and socio- economic status
