Relation between social drug use/abuse and dental disease in California, U.S.A.

Abstract

This study has explored the social drug use/abuse patterns associated with dental disease. Seventy‐seven subjects from the Berkeley Free Clinic were given questionnaires on their drug‐use habits and then were examined for both DMF‐T and OHI‐S scores. Ninety‐seven percent of the subjects indicated that they used one or more of the eight drugs being surveyed. The mean DMF‐T of the subjects was 13.2 and the OHI‐S was 2.61. The study indicated that persons who used barbiturates, miscellaneous hallucinogens and heroin have poorer oral hygiene than those in other categories. An unexpected finding was that subjects who used four or five of the surveyed drugs had lower DMF‐T and OHI‐S scores than those who used a lesser or a greater number of these drugs. The significance of these findings for an individual's oral health is not yet clear, but it is interesting that the oral hygiene index and DMF‐T index did not increase with the increasing number of drugs used, although the specific use of barbiturates, miscellaneous hallucinogens and heroin were related to higher OHI‐S scores. The lower OHI and DMF scores probably can be explained by the frequency of toothbrushing. Ninety‐five percent of the 4–5 drug‐use group brushed one or more times per day.

Periodontal Status amongst Substance Abusers in Indian Population

“…The mean OHI-S Index score was 2.70 in substance abusers which is comparable to the other studies by Angelillo et al [12], Shapiro et al, [13], Silverstein [14], Rosenstein [15], and Zahrani [16] who reported mean OHI-S values of 1.71, 2.67, 2.61, 2.2, and 2.42, respectively. The mean OHI-S score was significantly higher in the study group than the control group ( P = 0.001) especially among the male groups between the age groups of <20, 20–29, and 30–39 years.…”

Oral Health Profile Of A Group Of Malayasian Drug Addicts

“…Nevertheless, it is interesting to note the similarity in the pattern of high prevalence for gingivitis and calculus among the drug addicts as that observed in the general population of similarly aged Malaysians (11). This finding is similar to those reported in other countries which used their general population as the reference groups (6,14). Lack of proper personal hygiene, poor attitude and inadequate dental care practices amongst the drug addicts have been quoted as contributing factors.…”

“…The caries experience was found to be in accordance with other reported studies worldwide (4)(5)(6), and comparable to that found in the general Malaysian population of similar aged individuals (prevalence of 94.6%, and DMFT between 6.9 to 14.2)(11). In both populations, missing teeth constitute the major bulk of the DMFT score.…”

“…This phenomenon is prevalent irrespective of age, sex, race and nationality(1,2). Studies performed in several countries have shown that the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease among these individuals are high (3)(4)(5)(6). These findings have been attributed to unhealthy dietary habits and general oral neglect.…”

Cannabis: a joint problem for patients and the dental team

“…A study carried out by Silverstein 21 supports Schulz-Katterbach 10 findings. The DMFT score of 77 subjects who had used recreational drugs was investigated.…”