Introduction:
There is a growing recognition that even though effective tobacco control interventions are available they are under utilised in developing countries like India. With 41% population in southern India living in urban areas , upto a fifth of them use tobacco in some form. However, the effect of tobacco use on oral health and the tobacco dependency is less known.this study aims to assess the oral health status among different tobacco users and their dependency to tobacco.

Objectives:
This study aims to assess the oral health status among different tobacco users and their dependency to tobacco.

Methods:
A cross sectional study was conducted among 122 tobacco abusers visiting a tertiary care hospital in South India. The study participants were categorised as follows: Group A: Subjects using smoked form of tobacco and Group B: Subjects using smokeless form of tobacco. Clinical examination of dentition status, periodontal status and oral mucosal lesions were done based on WHO Oral Health Survey Proforma (2013). Nicotine dependency was assessed using Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence.

Results:
The mean caries experience was 4.46±6.134 and 2.89±3.178 for smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco abusers respectively. Prevalence of bleeding and periodontal pocket was significantly higher among smokeless tobacco users with the prevalence of 39.7% and 30.5% respectively. 42.4% of the smokers had smoker’s palate and 27% of smokeless tobacco users had tobacco pouch keratosis. 22% and 28.6% of smoked and smokeless tobacco abusers had significant dependence to tobacco.

Conclusion(s):
The results of the study showed detrimental effects in the oral cavity. Significant nicotine dependency was seen irrespective of the tobacco form used. Directing our focus on the psychology of nicotine dependence would enable us in providing efficient tobacco cessation counselling.