Just a mouth ulcer?

Decayed and missing teeth and oral-health-related factors: Predicting depression in homeless people

“…Moreover, the proportions of the survey population who were currently using illicit substances (27%) or were injecting drug users (20%) reflected the percentages of Glasgow's homeless people who used illicit substances (25%) and injected drugs (18%) [32]. Regarding their experience of tooth decay, this population had similar mean numbers of decayed and missing teeth as found in other groups of homeless people [4]. Nevertheless, the authors acknowledge that the use of a nonprobability convenience sample means that caution is required in generalising these findings.…”

“…Being homeless is an impoverishing, isolating and difficult experience which is often characterised by a chaotic itinerant lifestyle [1], social exclusion [2], ill health [3] and poor oral health [4]. In 2008/9, 57,304 households in Scotland applied to local authorities for homeless assistance [5].…”

“…The symptoms of depression and psychotic illness have been linked with homelessness and poor quality of life [10][11][12][13]. Predictably, homeless people have poorer dental health than the general population, with high levels of untreated decay and numerous missing teeth [4]. The impact of oral disease should not be underestimated in this population since it is known that chronic oral pain and poor oral function (e.g., chewing) may contribute to lower selfesteem [14] and depression [15].…”