Health risks and complications associated with the use of intraoral and perioral piercing: knowledge of young adults

Resumo

The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge of
young adults on health risks and complications associated with the
use of intraoral and perioral piercing. Material and methods: A
descriptive transversal study using primary data. The study group
comprised individuals with 18 years of age or more who were found
in collective spaces, in the urban perimeter of Balneário Camboriu
(Santa Catarina). The probabilistic sample was calculated as infinite
population, defining a margin of error of 5%. The survey data were
collected through an in-person structured questionnaire. Results: 395
individuals (39.5% male; 60.5% female) participated in the research,
with ages ranging from 18 to 26 years-old. Most of the individuals
(74.2%) have medium level of education. Six percent (6%) were or
had been using oral piercing. Sixty-seven percent (67%) did not have
received any information about the possible implications for health,
as a result of the use of oral piercing; however, 89.7% believed that
the use of this accessory offered risks to health. The percentage of
users of oral piercing in the group was 6%, among which 93% told
that they had observed some type of alteration as a result of the
use of oral piercing. Conclusion: Most of the participants of this
research did not have suitable knowledge on the health risks, as a
result of the use of an oral piercing. Therefore the accomplishment
of information campaigns for general population is fundamental, in
which the -dentist must play a significant role.