title: [Prevalence of halitosis in patients with dental prostheses in Senegal].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bad breath is a disease affecting 25% of the world's population. Despite the widespread nature of this problem, people's knowledge about this condition is poor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of halitosis in a cohort of 62 Senegalese subjects with dental prostheses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breath analysis was based on measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) using a halimeter. Halitosis was diagnosed ifVSC level was > or = 125 ppb.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean VSC level was 157.7 +/- 152.6 ppb. The prevalence of halitosis was of 35.4% overall, 72.7% in persons with fixed dentures and of 27.3% in persons with removable prostheses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relatively high prevalence of halitosis observed in this study indicates a need to enhance patient awareness of daily hygiene measures for dental prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Service de Prothèse, Département d'odontologie, Faculté de Médecine de Dakar, Sénégal. mbodj@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Mbodj
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Seck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dabo
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Diallo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds