Comparison of Salivary Microcosm Biofilm Formation Among Hookah Users, Industrialized Cigarette Smokers, and Non-Smokers

• Grant number: 24/13364-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Mônica Ghislaine Oliveira Alves
• Grantee: Gabrielle Canuto Lucas
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the saliva of smokers who use hookah and industrialized cigarettes by analyzing the biofilm microcosm formation capacity of their saliva and comparing it with the saliva of non-smokers. Our sample will consist of three groups. The hookah group will consist exclusively of frequent hookah smokers. The cigarette group will consist of frequent and exclusive smokers of manufactured cigarettes. Finally, the control group will consist of non-smokers. Microcosm biofilms will be generated from saliva samples to assess total biomass, metabolic activity, and microbial load. Data will be analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's test. Student's t-test will be used to compare means between groups. Associations with clinical and consumption data will be explored using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A p-value of < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.