Evaluation of Oral and Dental Health in Patients with History of Drug Abuse Attending Drug Treatment Centers in Sari, Iran

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health status in people with history of drug abuse. Materials and methods: This cross- sectional study was done in five addiction treatment centres located in Sari, Iran 2016-2017, using random cluster sampling. The Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT) index was calculated for 120 samples. ANOVA, T-test, and multiple linear regression model were applied for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 104 men and 16 women participated in this study. The mean DMFT of subjects was 19.53±8.30 teeth. Individuals with a lower age of the onset of drug abuse, addiction period of ≥ 10 years, and those who brushed less than once a day and took sweet snacks more than three times daily had significantly higher DMFT. Statistical analysis also indicated that age, education, brushing pattern, sweet consumption, duration of drug use and the time of last dental visit showed to have a significant relationship with changes in DT, MT, and FT indexes. Conclusion: Individuals with a history of drug dependence studied here, had a poor oral health status. Therefore, appropriate educational, preventive and therapeutic actions are required to improve oral health and the quality of life in people with history of drug abuse.