Evaluation of Common Interventions to Manage Halitosis Based On Organoleptic Scoring

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of interventions undertaken to manage common causes of halitosis based on organoleptic scoring. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Pano Aqil Pakistan, from Sep 2021 to Aug 2022. Methodology: Three hundred patients with halitosis fulfilling the inclusion criteria were treated as per their root cause of halitosis and evaluated by organoleptic scoring method on a fortnightly basis for one month. Pre-treatment organoleptic scoring was compared with post-treatment organoleptic scores. Results: Among 300 patients, 177(59%) were females and 123(41%) were males. Halitosis due to poor oro-dental hygiene was seen in 92(30.66%) cases, food-related halitosis in 90(30%), periodontal diseases in 47(15%) cases, while 33 patients (11%) have halitosis due to ENT diseases. A comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment organoleptic scores revealed a marked decrease in the number of patients having persistent halitosis (p-value 0.001). Conclusion: The most common etiological factor is poor oral hygiene. An organoleptic scoring system is a simple and quick method to recognize and grade halitosis without requiring costly gadgetry.