<![CDATA[Smoking is a habit that has a significant negative impact on oral and dental health, including an increased risk of gingival hyperpigmentation. Long-term exposure to chemical substances in cigarettes, such as tar and nicotine, can stimulate excessive melanin production by melanocytes, leading to discoloration of gingival tissues. Security personnel, who generally experience shift work patterns and high psychological stress, demonstrate a relatively high prevalence of smoking and are therefore at greater risk of developing gingival discoloration due to chronic tobacco exposure. In this study, a total of 35 respondents who were active smokers and employed as security personnel at Wijaya Kusuma University, Surabaya, were evaluated using a smoking habit questionnaire and clinical examination of gingival conditions. The Chi-square test results showed a significant association between smoking habits and the degree of gingival hyperpigmentation, with a p-value of 0.012. The majority of heavy smokers exhibited a higher degree of gingival pigmentation compared to light smokers. These findings indicate that smoking intensity contributes substantially to the condition of oral soft tissues. Therefore, educational and promotive efforts are essential for high-risk groups such as security personnel to prevent the long-term effects of smoking on gingival health..]]>
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