Magister Chirurgiae Dentium - MChD / Oral physiological pigmentation presents with great variability with respect to sites, forms,
patterns and contrasts in colour. Knowledge of the existence of pigmented lesions and their
significance remained unclear for both the general public and oral clinicians alike. The
possibility of malignant transformation of some pigmented lesions makes them important to
monitor and biopsy. The prevalence of physiological pigmentation is unknown for the defined
population group in this study. The results will be beneficial as part of a larger multicentre
study with South Africa (Feller et al, 2015).
Methodology: A cross sectional analytical study of patients that attended the University of the
Western Cape Oral Health centres for routine treatment was conducted. After obtaining
informed consent, patients were screened and asked a series of questions using a standardized
questionnaire. From these completed questionnaires a prevalence relating to oral physiological
pigmentation was determined.
Oral physiological pigmentation did not have a male or female predominance in this study
population group, but was associated with increased age. Oral pigmentation seemed to be well
represented after 18 years of age. Patients were not usually aware of the pigmented gingiva
unless being made aware off it.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uwc/oai:etd.uwc.ac.za:11394/6514 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Govender, Shogan |
| Contributors | Jeftha, Anthea |
| Publisher | University of the Western Cape |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | University of the Western Cape |
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