Oral health‐care needs among clients receiving alcohol and other drugs treatment—A scoping review

Abstract

Issues: Poor oral health is a significant problem among people who access alcohol and other drugs (AOD) health services, yet little is known about their oral health-care needs and whether any interventions and guidelines are implemented within AOD treatment services. Approach: A scoping review was conducted to identify scientific literature in three focus areas: oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of clients and clinicians at AOD-related services; oral health guidelines for AOD clinicians; and interventions that describe clinicians promoting oral health among clients. Key Findings: Thirty-two reports were identified. Twenty-three studies focused on the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of AOD clients, but none of the studies explored perspectives of clinicians. Seven clinical practice guidelines were identified but recommendations varied. Only two interventions in which an AOD clinician promoted oral health were identified. Implications: Most reports provided insight into the perspectives of clients accessing AOD treatment services. Little evidence demonstrated that clinical practice guidelines were being implemented into practice, or that oral health promotion was part of the tasks of AOD clinicians. Conclusion:This review identified oral health knowledge gaps and perceived poor attitudes that appeared to be reflected in certain oral health practices among clients. This finding indicates a need to educate clients about oral health while receiving AOD treatment. There was an absence of research about the needs for AOD clinicians to advocate for good oral health, and little evidence exists about effective interventions that could enhance integrating oral health care into AOD treatment services.

Providing better access to oral health care for people receiving substance use treatment: A timely discussion

“…We agree with Poudel et al's [1] recommendations that alcohol and other drugs clinicians are ideally placed to mitigate stigma and barriers to dental treatment and that there are gaps in the evidence regarding clinicians' capacity, needs and barriers to integrate oral health into their practice. To address them, a collaborative model of care has been co‐designed by the Sydney Local Health District Drug Health and Oral Health Services.…”

“…We read with interest the scoping review on the oral health-care needs among clients receiving alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD) treatment [1]. There is little argument that poor oral health is a significant problem among clients of AOD services [1]; and that good oral health is an integral part of overall health, quality of life and wellbeing [2]. Studies have shown that people who use drugs are at increased risk of poor oral health [3] that impacts on their quality of life [2,[4][5][6].…”

“…Accessing dental services and regular attendance by AOD service clients have been identified in the literature as key challenges [2,3,11]. To address this, a multidisciplinary care approach is an essential factor in delivering quality dental treatment to priority populations [1,2] including AOD service clients [1]. Access to oral health services may be improved when AOD services assist clients to engage with the initial oral health assessments [1,2].…”

“…To address this, a multidisciplinary care approach is an essential factor in delivering quality dental treatment to priority populations [1,2] including AOD service clients [1]. Access to oral health services may be improved when AOD services assist clients to engage with the initial oral health assessments [1,2]. Regular communication between oral health services and AOD services can also improve the way in which oral care is delivered, client engagement and oral health outcomes [2,3].…”