Oral health status in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health condition of Croatian war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study included 50 men who experienced combat stress and had been diagnosed with PTSD. They were compared with the group of 50 age-matched men who did not participate in war and did not have PTSD. Xerostomia, oral mucosal lesion, oral hygiene status, dental, and periodontal conditions, as well as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) were assessed and compared between the groups. Subjects in PTSD group had poorer oral hygiene, and periodontal status compared with the control subjects. Furthermore, they had less teeth than the control group (P = 0.04). Although, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index (P = 0.36), PTSD group had more decayed and missing teeth, but less filled teeth (P < 0.05 for all). According the Research Diagnosis Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD), PTSD patients had more TMD diagnoses compared with the control subjects. The most prevalent diagnosis was myofascial pain (48%) in PTSD group, while in the control group it was disc displacement with reduction (8%). It can be concluded that the oral health condition in PTSD patients is significantly affected compared with the control subjects.