Frequency tongue coating in patients referred to Kerman Dental School and its relationship with relative factors.

Objective: There has been shown a relationship between "tongue coating" and "Simplified Oral Health Index, periodontal status, modified mallampati classification (MMC) of the oropharynx and oral malodor". The purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of tongue coating and relative factors (sex, age, smoking, systemic disease and oral health indices) among patients referred to Dental School of Kerman University.

Methods: In this cross sectional study 250 patients referred to dental school of Kerman university of medical sciences were examined. The data collection form was included demographic data (gender, age, history of systemic disease and smoking) and Oral health indices such as TCI (Tongue coating index), OHI-S (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index), MGI (Modified Gingival Index), MMC and lost teeth. The analysis have been done using SPSS21, T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis (significance level was set at less than 0.05).

Results: Tongue coating has been shown in 96% of patients with the mean percent of 45.83 ± 19.16%. Men had higher percent of TCI though it was not statistically significant. Smoking was the strongest determinant factor in people with higher TCI scores (P = 0.013). There was a positive significant correlation between OHI-S and TCI [(Pearson's coefficient(r) = 0.134, P = 0.034)].

Conclusion: TCI appears to be related to smoking and Simplified Oral Health Index. The evaluation of tongue coating is necessary to assess its impact on oral health status and also to motivate patients to clean their tongue as a part of their oral health care routine.