Outbreak of oral ulcers (glossitis) among the students of three central schools under Tsirang district Bhutan, 2018

• DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01808-5
• Publication Date: 2021-09-14T12:05:37Z
• Authors: Tshewang Gyeltshen; Lham Dorji; Leki Dorj; Kuenga Choden
• Keywords: Physiology; Riboflavin; Health Professions; Oral Sores; oral warts; Pediatrics; Disease Outbreaks; Food science; Pathology; Micronutrient; Bhutan; Oral Ulcer; Internal medicine; Oral Mucosal Disorders and Malignant Transformation Risk; Schools; Geography; Oral Manifestations; Diagnosis and Management of Sjögren's Syndrome; RK1-715; Role of Homocysteine in Health and Disease; Oral Mucosal Disorders; 3. Good health; Environmental health; Archaeology; Taste; Periodontics; Medicine; Global Oral Health and Dental Caries; Family medicine; Boarding school; Islam; Niacin; Vitamin; Nutritional Deficiency; Changing Prevalence of HIV-Associated Oral Lesions; Pantothenic acid; Speech and Hearing; Glossitis; Rheumatology; Tongue; Virology; Health Sciences; Periodontal Diseases and Oral Microbiome; Humans; Ankyloglossia and its Impact on Breastfeeding and Speech; Students; Biology; Research; FOS: Clinical medicine; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Outbreak; FOS: Biological sciences; Dentistry

Abstract Background Nutritional deficiencies are common worldwide and is most notable in low middle income countries. In the early weeks of September 2018, oral sores mostly affecting tongue were reported three central schools under Tsirang district, Bhutan. A total 204 students affected schools. All have been assessed on outbreak nutritional survey was conducted . Methods who complained different lesions screened by dental surgeon for clinical assessment administered questionnaire nutritionist. Twenty-one randomly selected sent blood tests micronutrient assays complete count. 41 tested Exfoliative cell cytology to test fungal elements. The collected data double entered validated using Epi-Data version 3.1 analysed Stata 15 IC. characteristics participants presented as frequencies, percentages, mean standard deviation (SD). Results Almost all had complaints Burning Sensation (n = 158) followed Pain 153), Impaired Taste 100) Intolerance Spicy Food 95). analysis suggested not meeting Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) components Vitamin B complexes Iron. Conclusion Clinical assessments found inadequate vitamin rich dietary intakes among Implementation a strict school feeding program with balanced diet has accordingly.