Prevalence of Burning Mouth Syndrome in four Dental Schools in Tehran

Statement of the problem: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a condition presented with burning sensation without any pathologic changes of oral mucosa. Since there are no accurate diagnostic criteria and because symptoms are so variable the studies have shown different prevalence. Limited studies have been performed to estimate prevalence, of BMS in Iran and worldwide. Purpose: This research was conducted among Iranian patients to four dental schools in the City of Tehran in 2007. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 650 patients, 269 men and 381 women (originally Iranian) attending four dental schools in Tehran: Shahed, Shahid Beheshti, Tehran and Islamic Azad University in 2007. The sampling method was non-randomized as all the patients attending the four oral medicine departments on a certain period were included in this study. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographic characteristics, medical history and drugs taken by the patients. Results: Patients’ age ranged from 11 - 81 years (mean 35.63± 12.98). Totally, 9 patients had burning mouth without any underlying oral lesion. Conclusion: Burning Mouth Syndrome in the Iranian population has low prevalence and is more frequent in females. Furthermore, it is associated with xerostomia and taking medications.