title: Subjective patients' opinion and evaluation of halitosis using halimeter and organoleptic scores.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of interest in fetor ex ore among respondents, patients of the Department of Conservative Dentistry in Warsaw.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was completed by 295 patients, 202 females and 93 males aged 18-74 years (average 38.73 years). Each person was also examined for organoleptic score and volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) by Halimeter. Halitosis was diagnosed if the average level of VSC was > or =125 ppb and the organoleptic measurement using a 0-5 point scale was > or =2. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incidence of halitosis was greatest in age ranges 25-34 years (29.68%) and 45-54 years (24.52%). Sixty-eight (43.87%) persons with diagnosed halitosis frequently reported having a problem with bad breath and only 5.81% persons with halitosis did not notice this problem (P < 0.001). Among 54 healthy persons three (5.56%) reported having a problem with halitosis (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A statistically significant correlation was found between clinical organoleptic diagnosis of halitosis and VSC level by halimeter. Subjective patients' opinion correlated well with objective evaluation of halitosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. ewa_iwa@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iwanicka-Grzegorek
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michalik
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kepa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wierzbicka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aleksinski
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pierzynowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D013457:Sulfur Compounds