MANIFESTATIONS OF DISEASES OF THE ORAL MUCOSA OF PATIENTS IN THE ADJARA REGION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The aim of this study was to describe manifestations of diseases of the oral mucosa of patients in the Adjara region during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 55 patients, 25 women (45.5%) and 30 men (54.5%), aged between 18 and 89 years with confirmed COVID-19 at different stages of severity. After obtaining informed consent, we examined their mouths and recorded clinical findings. Forty percent of the patients had at least 1 oral lesion. The most common lesions were candidiasis and ulcers (7 patients each); 2 patients had enanthems. Geographic tongue and caviar tongue were also observed. Altered taste, dry mouth, and painful/burning mouth were noted in 60%, 27.3%, and 36.4% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal alterations and lesions were prevalent in this series of COVID-19 patients. An altered taste and a painful/burning mouth were common symptoms. For the first time, we performed a description of the oral cavity of patients diagnosed with COVID 19 in the Adjara region. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The variable "age" was compared using the Student's t-test and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS FOR MAJOR DENTAL DISEASES IN THE STUDENT POPULATION.

Nowadays, the reduction of widespread dental diseases (caries and periodontitis) is still crucial and appears to be both a medical and social concern. The aim of this study was an investigation of dental health status, determination of leading risk factors, and determination of preventive measures among the students of the Adjara region. Clinical studies were conducted on 392 students aged 18-25 years. The methodology provided by WHO was used to determine the epidemiological data on the prevalence of dental caries. The BOP (Bleeding on probing) method was used to determine the prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases. Oral hygiene status was assessed by OHI-S (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index). A survey of students was conducted to determine the impact of various factors. In the study group, caries prevalence equaled 97.04%, the intensity was 5.68±0.21, gingivitis prevalence was 75.4%, and oral hygiene condition was 1.9±0.06. Hygienic condition is correlated with caries and periodontal diseases (p<0.05). A statistically reliable relationship was revealed with hygiene knowledge, nutritional factors, etc. It is necessary to improve treatment and prevention measures among students and adolescents in the region through the implementation of social programs and sanitary educational measures.

[EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DENTAL CARIES, DENTAL STATUS AND CORRECTION PROSPECTS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ADJARA REGION KOBULETI AND KHELVACHAURI MUNICIPALITIES].

The epidemiological research was conducted among school children of 6-7, 12, 15 ages (According to the WHO nomenclature) in the municipalities of Kobuleti and Khelvachauri of Ajara region in order to study the spread of major dental diseases and determine further prophylactic measures. The research involved 246 children, of whom 129 were residents of Kobuleti and 117 residents of Khelvachauri. Studies have shown that in all age groups the level of caries distribution is high; the median intensity index is also high in all age groups compared to the median indexes established for residents of Georgia. A particularly difficult situation was observed when reviewing the components of the DMFT structure. The number of teeth damaged by caries was prevailing in all age groups and the number of filled teeth was insignificant. The study of the hygiene skills of the research target group revealed a low sanitary culture. Consequently, in order to improve the dental status in the target group of the research, the following was determined: 1. Need to increase the scope and quality of dental care; 2. Necessity of implementing sanitary-educational works for increasing sanitary culture and the motivation of oral hygiene.