Dental health status in crack/cocaine-addicted men: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between crack/cocaine addiction and dental health in men. Forty crack/cocaine-addicted patients and 120 nonaddicted patients (≥18 years) underwent full-mouth dental examinations. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) were identified using the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. Crack/cocaine addiction was determined, based on the medical records and interviews of each patient. All drug-addicted patients used both crack and cocaine. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between DMFT and crack/cocaine addiction (p ≤ 0.05). Decayed teeth showed a positive association with crack/cocaine addiction (odds ratio (OR) = 3.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.68–7.92; p = 0.001), whereas filled and missing teeth showed a negative association (filled teeth: OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18–0.76; p = 0.008; missing teeth: OR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.13–0.81; p = 0.02). The DMFT was only associated with age (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.11–4.08, p = 0.023). In the present population, crack/cocaine addiction was associated with a greater decayed teeth index and a lower filled and missing teeth index. Programs aimed to encourage self-esteem and encourage individuals to seek dental care are required for this population. Further studies using a larger sample size and studies with women are required to confirm the results.

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