Dental impact on daily life and oral health in alcohol use disorder patients

Abstract

Objectives: Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are at a higher risk of developing dental problems. The present study assessed the dental impact on daily performances among AUD patients seeking treatment in a de-addiction centre and correlated it with their clinical dental status using the WHO oral health assessment form (2013). Materials and methods: This research took place from January to May 2022. A cross-sectional study was carried out to collect data from 103 subjects among alcohol dependents taking treatment in a de-addiction centre of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka state. The Dental Impact on Daily Living Questionnaire (DIDL) assessed patients' satisfaction with their teeth, while the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for Adults was used for dental caries (DMFT) and periodontal status. Data analysis was performed using the jamovi open-source software (version 2.3), employing t-test, chi-square test, hierarchical regression analysis, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The study found low yet significant correlations between clinical oral health and dimensions of the DIDL scale. Social class and the number of decayed teeth emerged as significant predictors of the total DIDL score. Conclusion: Oral health conditions can adversely affect patient satisfaction, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers to consider these findings when offering comprehensive oral healthcare services. Clinical relevance: This study underscores the necessity of integrating oral healthcare into the overall treatment regime for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) to improve their quality of life and satisfaction.

Keywords

• Alcohol use disorders
• De-addiction center care
• Dental impact on daily living (DIDL)
• Oral health assessment