Oral Health Assessment in Prisoners: A Cross-Sectional Observational and Epidemiological Study

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Oral Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The oral health status of incarcerated populations is often overlooked, despite potential links to overall health and well-being.
• Limited access to dental care and specific lifestyle factors within correctional facilities can exacerbate oral health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the oral health conditions and prevalence of dental caries in male inmates at the Penitentiary Moniz Sodré in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• To analyze the relationship between age and oral health indicators, specifically the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study involving 1385 male inmates, categorized into four age groups.
• Data collection included surveys and the application of the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index.
• Statistical analysis, including multiple linear regression, was used to identify correlations and predictors of DMFT scores.

Main Results:

• The average Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) score significantly increased with age, from 6.89 in younger inmates to 22.5 in older inmates (p < 0.0001).
• The increase in DMFT was primarily driven by a higher number of missing teeth, particularly in older age groups.
• Prevalence of oral health issues included bleeding on probing (37.7%), visible dental plaque (100%), and dental calculus (71.3%).
• Oral hygiene practices showed low adherence, with only 20.1% brushing daily and 10.3% using fluoride mouthwash.

Conclusions:

• High levels of untreated dental caries and periodontal disease sequelae were observed in the studied prison population.
• Age was strongly correlated with increased DMFT scores, largely due to missing teeth.
• Inadequate dental treatments and interventions within the correctional facility resulted in a high number of tooth extractions.