Oral and dental health of Italian drug addicted in methadone treatment

Abstract

Objectives Our group recorded the characteristic of oro‐dental health among a group of drug addicts in recovery treatment with methadone, and it evaluated the changes related to the withdrawal therapy. Methodology A sample of 50 drug addicts in treatment with methadone was included in this study. At the beginning of the withdrawal therapy, the authors recorded the parameters involved in the most common oral diseases. Moreover, it was evaluated how, during the rehabilitation protocol, the behavioral parameters and the xerostomia that influence the oral health changed. A medical history especially referring to drug addiction features was made. An intraoral objective exam was done for each patient, at the beginning of the therapy and after 3 and 6 months. Results 82% of the subjects showed a DMFT > 0. No patient showed any presences of previous restorative therapies. Lowenthal's caries, mostly localized in the cervical upper maxillary incisor, were found in 12% of the subjects. The Löe and Silness index showed marginal gingivitis in 95% of subjects, whereas 44% showed improper occlusion and/or parafunctional habits. 52% of the subjects had a normal diet, but a qualitative evaluation showed a high percentage (48%) of immoderate refined sugars use. Xerostomia, that was present in 72% of patients during the drug dependence period, showed a marked reduction in the withdrawal period. Conclusion The group analyzed made a combined use with other drugs. They showed a high rate of caries and marginal periodontitis. The statistical analysis of the data proves how the methadone rehabilitation program is effective even on the oral health. It will show its effects over two different time related phases: after a first phase of decreased attention to oral health (0‐3 months), all index will increase in the long term (3‐6 months). The rehabilitation program contributes to an improved oral health of drug addicts.

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

“…In the first focus area, 23 studies were identified that included 3611 participants with a mean age ranging from 27.9 to 44 years [ 19 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. The studies were conducted in Australia ( n = 2), Brazil ( n = 3), India ( n = 2), Indonesia ( n = 1), Iran ( n = 1), Ireland ( n = 2), Italy ( n = 2), Lithuania ( n = 1), Norway ( n = 1), Portugal ( n = 1), Serbia ( n = 1), South Africa ( n = 1), United Kingdom ( n = 1) and the United States ( n = 4).…”

“…The studies were conducted in Australia ( n = 2), Brazil ( n = 3), India ( n = 2), Indonesia ( n = 1), Iran ( n = 1), Ireland ( n = 2), Italy ( n = 2), Lithuania ( n = 1), Norway ( n = 1), Portugal ( n = 1), Serbia ( n = 1), South Africa ( n = 1), United Kingdom ( n = 1) and the United States ( n = 4). About half of the studies were of cross‐sectional design ( n = 14) [ 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]; few studies used a qualitative design ( n = 3) [ 19 , 38 , 53 ]; and the designs of remaining six studies were cohort ( n = 3) [ 42 , 44 , 45 ], case–control ( n = 1) [ 34 ], prospective longitudinal ( n = 1) [ 49 ] and pre‐post quasi‐experimental ( n = 1) [ 37 ]. In the second focus area, the guidelines identified were developed for application in Australia ( n = 2), Canada ( n = 2), Ireland ( n = 1), United Kingdom ( n = 1) and the United States ( n = 1).…”

“…None of the papers reported on oral health knowledge, attitudes or practices of AOD clinicians. Of the 23 studies [ 19 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ], 5 reported on their oral health knowledge [ 19 , 38 , 40 , 46 , 53 ]; 5 explored their oral health attitudes [ 19 , 35 , 40 , 46 , 53 ] and all reported on oral health practices [ 19 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ...…”

“…Of the 23 studies that reported on respondents' oral health practices, the vast majority ( n = 20) described the participants' self‐care oral hygiene practices, including frequency of toothbrushing and flossing and factors that influenced these practices. Thirteen studies [ 33 , 34 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 50 , 51 ] reported large variations in the prevalence of participants brushing their teeth at least once a day, ranging from 29% in one Australian study [ 38 ] to 100% in populations located in India [ 34 ] and Indonesia [ 46 ]. Seven studies [ 34 , 35 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 50 ] explored the frequency of participants brushing their teeth twice a day, which also varied from 4% [ 41 ] to 80% [ 46 ].…”

Impact of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Addicts' People in Ahvaz City; Iran

“…In addition, poor appearance and improper functioning of the dental problems can cause isolation and non-compliance with the treatment and care process (9). So far, few studies were conducted on oral health and its related quality of life among the addicts worldwide (10)(11)(12) and in Iranian cities of Yazd, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Tehran (19 − 13). Some of these studies concluded that drug abuse increased DMFT and Plaque Control Record indices (14).…”