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

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.