Internet Usage for Information on Habit Related Oral Mucosal Lesions and Oral Cancer

Aims and Objectives To assess the internet usage pattern among patients with tobacco habits regarding tobacco habit related oral mucosal lesions and oral cancer Materials and methods A 14 item questionnaire was given to 600 participants. Participants were divided into two groups, Group 1 (G-1) with tobacco habits and Group 2 (G-2) without tobacco habits. All the responses were tabulated and statistically analysed in SPSS software version v.22. IBM, corp. Results The overall internet usage for health information was an average of 50 %. Among the internet users, 3.7 % (G-1) and 2.3 % (G-2) check for information on tobacco induced oral mucosal lesions regularly. Post graduates and patients with habit were more aware of the terminologies like leukoplakia and OSMF. None of the patients with habits had searched for habit cessation related information Conclusion Patients using internet for awareness regarding tobacco related habit and associated oral mucosal lesion are less. Those who are using internet are failing to convert it into habit cessation practices.