OHRQoL in a Sample of Alcohol and Drug Abusers.

AIMS: To determine oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a large sample of substance abusers and to evaluate the effect of dental treatment on OHRQoL. DESIGN: A longitudinal observational study. SETTINGS: A dental care clinic specialized in treating severely addicted patients. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of severely addicted substance abusers. MEASUREMENTS: OHRQoL was measured using the OHIP-14, which was filled out at baseline (T0), prior to the first treatment session (T1), after about 6 treatment sessions (T2) and on the last day of treatment (T3). FINDINGS: Mean OHIP scores did not change from T0 to T1. At T1, a mean OHIP-14 total score = 37.1 (sd=12.4, N = 392) was found. The highest mean scores were observed for the subscales physical pain and psychological discomfort. Data from 129 patients was available on both T1 and T2. The mean OHIP-14 total score reduced significantly (mean difference = 5.63, 95% CI 3.76 - 7.51), t(128)=5.94, p <0.001. The highest reduction in mean score was found for the subscale physical pain (mean difference = 1.24, 95%CI 0.81 - 1.66). Also between T2 and T3 a significant reduction in OHIP-14 total score (mean difference = 2.41, 95%CI 0.06-4.76) took place. CONCLUSION: The oral health status of substance abusers does have a substantial effect on their quality of life, which can be improved to a great extent by dental treatment based on a model tailored to addicted patients.

[Quality of life related to oral health among addicts]. / Mondgezond heidgerelateerde levenskwaliteit van verslaafden.

In this study, the impact of oral health on the daily functioning of a group of individuals addicted to alcohol and/or drugs that were being treated at a centre for specialized dentistry in Amsterdam was investigated. Every new patient who reported to the clinic received the OHIP-14-questionnaire at home by post with the request that it be filled in and returned. A total of 110 usable questionnaires were returned (response 27.5%). The average OHIP-score (40.6; standard deviation 12.9) can be termed substantial when compared to other patient groups. On the subcategories 'physical pain', 'psychological discomfort' and 'psychological disability; the patients scored highest, and on the subcategory functional limitations' the lowest. The poor oral health of the patient group studied has a substantial impact on daily functioning. These baseline results will be used for measuring the effect of dental health treatment at this centre for specialized dentisty.

[Dental referral of drug addicts]. / Tandheelkundige verwijzing van drugverslaafden.

Reasons for drug addicts' non-compliance to dental referral were investigated. Sixty-eight out of 83 addicts referred to the dentist were interviewed. Eighty-one percent intended to go, but only 42% did show up for their first appointment. Mean dental anxiety score (SDAI) was 23.6. An active referral of a non-anxious patient who visited the dentist in the past if in pain appeared least likely to fail. Dental care as an integral part of care for drug addicts is advocated.

[The drug addict and the dentist]. / De verslaafde en de tandarts.

An impression of the dental treatment of the addict is given. Both the patient's relationship to the dentist, as well as the specific condition of the addicted patient with the remarkable characteristics are discussed.

[Dental treatment of HIV-infected and AIDS patients in the dental office in The Netherlands]. / Patiënten met AIDS in de tandheelkundige praktijk.

Every dentist should accept the responsibility of treating HIV-infected and AIDS' patients in his own office. By taking the appropriate hygienic measures, the risk of HIV-transmission in the dental office can be almost completely eliminated.