Oral health status of psychoactive substance abusers

Abstract

Introduction: Among varied substance abuse, tobacco abuse is a common relapsing addiction among youth. The relationship of tobacco abuse in varying grades of dental caries (DC) is worthy of study. This study was planned with a null hypothesis, there is no difference in varying grades of DC in tobacco and related substance abusers to those of nonabusers in the population visiting institute. Materials and Methods: The present study comprised 270 adults, 135 participants in each group, with age ranged from 20 years to 50 years including both gender. Study group formed of smokers, tobacco abusers, smokeless tobacco abusers, gutka, betel nut, and a combination of these two, whereas the healthy, nonhabit group formed control. DC was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Oral hygiene was evaluated by recording a simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI). Results: DC was found higher in individuals with habits (mean DMFT: 4.73 ± 4.32) as compared to those of nonhabit group (mean DMFT: 3.17 ± 3.11), and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). OHI was significantly higher in tobacco abusers than those of nonabusers (P = 0.0001). In the case of both moderate and severe caries, the duration and frequency of tobacco abuse was significantly associated with a pattern of DC (P = 0.001). As the frequency of tobacco and related substance abuse increased, caries (DMFT) also increased (r = 0.15 and P = 0.013), and it was statistically highly significant. Conclusion: Psychoactive substance abuse along with poor oral hygiene, in any form of smokeless or smoking form of tobacco habit, is a risk for increased caries activity, and it is higher in smokeless tobacco abusers as compared to smokers.

Keywords

• decayed
• missing
• and
• filled teeth index
• dental caries
• oral hygiene index
• psychoactive substance abuse