Awareness of complications of oral piercing in a group of adolescents and young South African adults

ObjectivesIntraoral piercing as a body art has been gaining popularity amongst adolescents and young adults; however there is limited data on the awareness to complications associated with it. This study investigated the awareness of complications of oral piercing among a group of adolescents and young South African adults with intraoral piercings.Study designA total of 250 patients with intraoral piercing were asked to complete a questionnaire on the awareness of complications of oral piercing and were then examined by two calibrated dentists to determine oral complications caused by the pierced ornament.ResultsData revealed that 59.4% of the respondents were not aware of any complications in oral piercing. 24% of the respondents had intraoral piercing in the last 12 months, with a combined total of 17.2% having the procedure performed 5 to 7 years before.ConclusionsThe general lack of awareness of complications related to oral piercing needs to be addressed by the dental community.