Dental health in Dutch drug addicts

The aim of this study was to describe to dental health status of a group of Dutch 20-40-yr-old drug addicts (n = 121) and to compare the results if DMFS with data of an age-comparable sample of the general adult population in the Netherlands (n = 1532). Mean DMFT of the addicted group was 16.9. ANOVA showed that the mean DMFS of the addicted group differed statistically significantly from the DMFS of the general population of the same age (= 52.1 versus 38.9) Statistically significant differences in DMFS were also found between the various age groups. The percentage of addicted subjects with more than cervical plaque on one or more teeth was 76.5%m 82.4% and 88.2% in the three youngest age groups. In almost all addicted subjects, bleeding of the gingiva was present Only 36% had visited the dentist less than a year ago and 18% brushed their teeth less than once a day. It is concluded that there is a large gap in dental health status and behavior between drug addicts and the general population. Dental care as an integral part of the care for drug addicts is advocated.