Oral health and background characteristics in a prison population: the PriOH study

The Nordic welfare state aims for social security and equality. However, incarcerated people often face vulnerable situations impacting oral health. This study describes oral health and background characteristics of incarcerated people in Norway and explored differences between Nordic and non-Nordic origins.

This cross-sectional study included 326 participants from four prisons in Norway. Dental personnel conducted visual oral examinations and collected questionnaire data on sociodemographic, socioeconomic and health-related background, self-reported oral health and dental anxiety.

The population mainly consisted of young (mean 36.9 ± 11.8) men (95.4%). Almost half had low education (46.4%), reported financial difficulties (37.8%), lacked labor market attachment (45%), and over half (54.8%) experienced physical pain. Dental services were irregularly used (56.2%), and dental anxiety was prominent (39%). Almost half reported poor oral health (46.5%) and clinical measures (mean decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMFT] 11.4 ± 7.4) revealed decayed teeth in four of 10 individuals (39.8%). Group differences showed that non-Nordic individuals had stronger labor market attachment, fewer health challenges, and less caries experience than Nordic individuals.

Diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, untreated caries, poor self-reported oral health, dental anxiety, and irregular dental attendance were common. The group disparities challenge the equity goals of the Nordic Welfare state.