WHO GETS LEUKOPLAKIA AND WHERE?
Oral leukoplakia has always been a predominantly male disease, except in regional populations in which women use tobacco products more than men.[3-13,19,29] In the United States a slight decrease has been noted in this male predilection: 74% of affected persons were males in 1935, compared to 69% in 1988.[19] This decrease is a welcome change, as leukoplakias in males have a much higher risk of dysplasia or malignant transformation than similar lesions in females.[13] Overall, the disease is more frequently diagnosed now than in 1935, but this is probably because of enhanced awareness rather than because of a real increase in incidence.[19] This precancer usually affects persons over 40 years of age.[1-13,19,29] Prevalence increases rapidly with age, especially for males. While fewer than 1% of males prior to 30 years of age have lesions, an alarming 8% of males beyond 70 years of age are affected.[13] This may have grave implications for the practice of dentistry as the U.S. populatio
