title: Effects of Tobacco Smoking on the Dorsum of the Tongue and
  Buccal Epithelium
abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tobacco smoking on the dorsum of the tongue and
  buccal epithelium. Methodology: This case control cross-sectional study was conducted with 174 smoking and
  non-smoking volunteers living in the city of Hail, Northern KSA. Cytological Materials were obtained from buccal
  mucosa and dorsum of the tongue, and assessed using cytopathological methods. Results: In buccal smears, cytological
  atypia was observed in 17 out of 101 (16.8%) smoker cases but only 3/73(4.1%) of the controls. For cytological atypia
  in buccal and tongue smears, the adjusted odd ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were found to be 4.7
  (1.3-16.8), P < 0.016)) and 4.3 (0.93- 20.2), P <0.06)), respectively, in the two sites. Conclusion: Tobacco smoking
  is a major risk factor for occurrence of cytological atypia, which might subsequently develop into oral precancerous
  and cancerous lesions. Oral exfoliative cytology is an easy and cheap non-invasive procedure which appears highly
  suitable for screening populations at risk of developing oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, University of Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Email: hussaingad1972@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abdullah Faraj
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Al Shammari
authors.forename: Ibrahim Khalil
authors.initials: IKh
authors.lastname: AL Ibrahim
authors.forename: Amjad Ibrahim
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Alaauldeen
authors.forename: Randa Fouad
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Merza
authors.forename: Hussain Gadelkarim
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Ahmed
keywords: Tobacco smoking; buccal mucosa; cytological atypia; tongue; oral