[The buccal-dental health of drug addicts treated in the University hospital centre in Nice].
OBJECTIVE
Drug-addicts often suffer from rapidly progressive extensive dental decay. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of illicit drugs on buccal and dental health and the use of illicit drugs for toothache.


METHODS
Two groups of intravenous and non-intravenous drug-addicts were compared with two control groups of age matched non-addicted subjects. During a routine dental examination, medical and addictive history, periodontal and dental health and dental complaints were recorded.


RESULTS
This study showed that intravenous heroin was responsible for rapidly progressive dental decay, even in four drug-addicts with satisfactory dental hygiene. Intravenous heroin users (14 women, 38 men, mean age 35) had a mean number of 10 missing and 10 decayed teeth, 6 of them to be extracted, and needed two dentures with 8 teeth each. Their masticatory function (45%) and smile did not permit normal alimentation or social life. Non-intravenous drug users (9 women, 29 men, mean age 26) had a mean number of one missing tooth and 4 decayed teeth to be treated. When compared to control groups, drug users of both categories exhibited more decayed teeth, reduced masticatory function and a lower periodontal health correlated with inadequate dental hygiene. Finally, 52% of heroin users and 21% of other illicit drug users admitted the use of illicit drugs as analgesics for toothache.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of toothache should be proposed in the cessation protocols and dentures provided to intravenous drug-addicts, before any attempt at social reinsertion.
Madinier
Isabelle
I
Laboratoire de bactériologie, Hôpital Archet 1, CHU de Nice (06).
Harrosch
Joseph
J
Dugourd
Michel
M
Giraud-Morin
Chantal
C
Fosse
Thierry
T
D000328:Adult; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
D013287:Illicit Drugs