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Copyright of Acta Stomatologica Croatica is the property of Acta Stomatologica Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: The main objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and nature of subjective symptoms and pathological changes of the oral mucosa in Croatian Homeland War invalids. Materials and Methods: A total of 102 disabled Croatian war veterans participated in the study. Based on medical history, data on the presence of subjective symptoms in the oral cavity were collected and a detailed clinical examination was performed. Potentially malignant lesions were biopsied and sent for pathohistological analysis. The study included 88 (86.3%) men and 14 (13.7%) women with a mean age of 54.3 years. In the study sample, 46 respondents (45.1%) reported being smokers, while 56 of them (54.9%) denied the habit of smoking cigarettes daily. Results: Only 33 (32.4%) of the participants reported that a dentist had performed a thorough examination of their oral cavity, and seven of them (6.9%) a general practitioner. The majority of respondents, 77 (75.5%), denied the presence of subjective symptoms in the oral cavity. In-depth clinical examination revealed lesions in 35 (34.3%) participants, and 14 (13.7%) of these were pathological changes representing potentially malignant lesions. Histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of a potentially malignant lesion in ten individuals (four leukoplakia, four erosive lichen planus, and two actinic cheilitis). In the remaining four participants, histopathologic findings indicated moderate dysplasia in two, carcinoma in situ in one, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma in one. Conclusion: Clinical examination revealed 14 potentially malignant changes in the oral mucosa. According to participants, most dentists and general practitioners did not thoroughly examine the entire oral mucosa of their patients. Both physicians and the general population need additional regular education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the knowledge of caregivers employed in homes for the elderly and infirm about oral health maintenance of their residents. Materials and Methods: 80 employees of homes for the elderly and infirm from Split and its surroundings participated in this cross-sectional study. The directors of the homes were contacted by e-mail and phone. Caregivers were given a questionnaire that contained general demographic information, questions about oral health maintenance of home residents and caregivers' knowledge of oral health. Results: Total of 73.75% of respondents received training on oral health care as part of their education. 92.5% of the respondents, once or twice a day help residents, who are unable to do it themselves, with oral hygiene, 72.5% of whom also clean their tongues. 73.75% of respondents use antiseptic-soaked gauze when residents have no teeth or in case of limited mouth opening. 6.25% of them do this when residents have sores in their mouths. Only 55% of respondents clean their residents' dentures every day. 52.5% of residents visit dentist when necessary, while only 11.25% visit them regularly. Almost all respondents believe that non-healing sores in the oral cavity can represent potential malignant lesions (95%), as well as that oral health is related to the quality of taste, chewing and swallowing (96.25%). The level of knowledge related to the impact of oral diseases on systemic disorders is satisfactory (75%), while worse results were observed for questions related to comorbidities of the elderly (50%). 65.5% of respondents don't know that acquired pneumonia can be prevented by mechanical cleaning, the use of antiseptics and regular dental care. Conclusion: Most of the caregivers know how to properly perform oral hygiene of their residents, but they don't perform it often enough. Caregivers consider oral health important for general health, but they need additional education on methods to preserve oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]