A systematic review of oral health status in substance abusers

Oral health is one of the most important issues for people and physicians, and it is very important to identify the factors that contribute to the damage to oral health. One of the factors that is always emphasized in harming oral health is drug addiction. 

Methods:

This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and ISI for Persian and English articles and compared oral health indicators in patients with substance abuse with healthy subjects. The quality of the selected studies was measured by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Heterogeneity of studies was performed using the Q test and I-square index. In case of heterogeneity of studies, a random effect model was used to combine the results. Publication bias was performed by funnel curves and Egger’s and Begg’s tests.

Substance abuse had a significant effect on (std dif in means 1/657[1.873-1/442], P<0/001) and it has a strong positive and significant effect on plaque index (OR. 1/42; 95% CI 1/18-1/7), P= 0/0002.

Conclusion:

 The mean DMFT was higher in people with drug abuse than in healthy people. Periodontal problems are also more common in people with drug abuse than in healthy people. Hence, the oral health status of these people needs more attention.

Practical Implications:

Responsible organizations and social dentists should pay more attention to oral and dental health of substance abusers.