oral red and white lesions prevalence in patients referred to oral pathology department during last two decades, isfahan, iran

background: oral white and red lesions are usually assumed as premalignant lesions. epidemiological characteristics of these lesions seem to be important. the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the oral red and white lesions in patients referred to oral and maxillofacial pathology department in isfahan school of dentistry during last two decades. methods: in this descriptive study, clinical profiles of oral pathology department from 1988 to 2008 were reviewed. gender, age, location and type of lesions and referring time were recorded. data was analyzed using chi-square with spss 11.5 statistical software. results: 6509 patients referred to oral pathology department, which 1047 (16.1%) cases recorded as red and white lesions. the most prevalence red and white lesions were peripheral giant cell granuloma (pgcg) and lichen planus respectively. the mean age of red lesions was 33.9 ± 17.9 year with a prevalence rate of 57.8% in women. the mean age of white lesions was 44.92 ± 13.09 with the most prevalence rate of 67% in women.  the most prevalent red (18.5%) and white (31.8%) lesions were related to age ranges of 31-40 and 41-50 years old.  red lesion mainly located in gingival (79%) and white lesion in buccal mucosa (57.4%). conclusion: prevalence of white and red lesions is increasing in the recent years. more studies are required to investigate the probability of white and red lesions malignancy.