title: Prevalence and awareness of halitosis in a sample of Jordanian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and awareness of halitosis among the subjects of a population, and also to compare the results of Halimeter(®) readings to self-estimation of halitosis and to assess the relationship between halitosis and oral health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 205 employees from the Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST) were selected as study subjects. A standardized questionnaire focusing on dental hygiene, self-reported halitosis, and smoking was filled by all participants. In the clinical examination, the objective values for assessment of oral health and the presence of halitosis were gathered through an organoleptic test (OLT) and the measurement of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) level by Halimeter for each participant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of halitosis was 78%, with low rate of awareness (20.5%). The amount of TC played the most important role in increasing the concentration of VSCs in mouth air (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A statistically significant correlation was found between OLT and Halimeter values (P < 0.001). Subjective patients' opinion did not correlate with the objective evaluation of halitosis. TC scores and smoking were the factors significantly associated to halitosis. The Halimeter showed promising characteristics regarding diagnosis of halitosis for clinical setting and field surveys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Mohammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Surgery, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Azmi Mg
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Darwazeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Haider
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Waeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Al-Farabi College of Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Bassel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tarakji
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Al-Farabi College of Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Teeb T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Alhadithy
keywords: Awareness; halitosis; oral hygiene; prevalence; tongue coating