title: Tooth retention, tooth loss and use of dental care among long-term narcotics abusers.
abstract: This study examined tooth retention, tooth loss and use of dental care among aging male narcotics abusers being followed-up for more than 33 years. The cohort of 581 male narcotics addicts admitted to California Civil Addict Program in 1962-1964 was tracked until 1996-1997. As of 1997, 284 (48.9%) were confirmed to be dead. A total of 108 surviving participants completed the oral examination and survey of use of dental services. African American addicts showed the least number of remaining teeth; and African Americans and Hispanics were less likely to utilize dental services compare to Whites. Factors significantly related to tooth retention were abusers' age (p = 0.0006), ethnicity (p = 0.01), income (p < 0.0001), smoking status (p = 0.03), and dental visits during the 12 months prior to the survey (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that settings such as prisons and drug treatment programs that include dental care referral and follow-up would be expected to enhance oral and general health among narcotics-addicted individuals.
authors.affiliation: UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Neuropsychiatric Institute, 1640 S Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. jingf@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Yih-Ing
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Hser
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herbeck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California; D004245:DMF Index; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001741:Black or African American