title: Relationship between self- perception of malodour and actual estimation of malodour in a group of dental patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the concentration of volatile sulphur compounds in mouth air of young adult and their self perception of malodour and also to determine the relationship between the organoleptic assessment of young adult and their perception of malodour.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 400 willing participants were studied and they were grouped into two based on the health of their periodontium. Subjects were asked for self perception of malodour and organoleptic assessment was done to assess the level of malodour using the Rosenberg 0-5 scoring system. The concentration of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) was determined objectively using the Halimeter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty subjects reported self perception of malodour i.e. 39 males (48.7%) and 41 females (51.3%). Only 9% of the subjects without periodontal diseases reported self perception of oral malodour while 31% of subjects with periodontal disease had similar claims. Majority (86%) of those who had VSC concentration less than 181 ppb claimed to have no self perception of malodour while 41% of those who had VSC concentration greater than 250 ppb had self perception of malodour. More than half (53.8%) of subjects with VSC concentration greater than 250 ppb had organoleptic score of 3. Half of subjects with organoleptic assessment score of 3 had self perception of malodour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded from this study that a relationship exists between self-perception of oral malodour, organoleptic assessment and the concentration of volatile sulphur compounds in mouth air of subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics. University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Benin City Nigeria. deblosco@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ehizele
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Ojehanon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D055696:Olfactory Perception; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds