Oral Hygiene Status and Psychological Factors Among Sheltered Adolescents in Recife

To investigate the association between oral hygiene status and psychological factors among foster adolescents in Recife.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in Recife in 10 shelters for adolescents aged 10-17 years. After obtaining ethics approval, the adolescents were clinically examined. Their oral hygiene was recorded using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI), and they were asked about their oral hygiene and visits to the dentist. They were also asked about anxiety, depression and stress (DASS-21). The results were statistically analysed using the chi-squared and Fisher's exact test or odds ratios, as appropriate.

Eighty-one adolescents, of whom 56 were males and 25 were females, participated in the study. They had been admitted to shelters 2-6 months before because they had been neglected and/or abandoned and/or were homeless. Only 8.6% had visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. Seventy-eight (94%) had access to toothbrushes and toothpaste and performed daily oral hygiene. Seventy-one (88%) reported anxiety, 69 (85%) depression and 74 (91%) stress. There was no association between these three factors and OHI. Several factors, including the region of origin (p = 0.434) and time living in the shelter (p = 0.0303), were associated with stress.

Attention should be given to adolescents living in shelters to ensure their good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, especially those who have suffered abuse/violence/exploitation. They must also be given mental health assistance.