title: Oral health status of a group of illicit drug users in Delhi, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the oral health and related practices of a group of illicit drug users in Delhi, India; to compare with that of non-drug users; and to assess the impact of illicit drug use on oral health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study. Comparison was made with non-drug users to investigate any differences in oral health between illicit drug users and general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Illicit drug users attending a drug dependence treatment clinic in Delhi (n=126). Equal number of non-drug users attending other outpatient departments in the same setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral health practices assessed using structured questionnaire; dental caries, periodontal status and oral mucosa assessed using World Health Organization 2004 criteria; oral hygiene assessed using OHI-S.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean DMFT and OHI-S scores amongst the drug users were 3.48 and 3.80, respectively. Bleeding, shallow pockets and deep pockets were found as the highest CPI finding in 42%, 44% and 12% of drug users respectively. Premalignant states of leukoplakia and OSMF were diagnosed in 13% and 4% of drug users respectively. Significant differences were found between drug users and non-drug users with respect to oral hygiene practices; DMFT, OHI-S, CPI scores; and leukoplakia. In multivariate analysis, illicit drug use was significantly associated with CPI highest score (OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.08-4.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The illicit drug users had significantly poorer oral hygiene practices, oral hygiene and periodontal health; higher caries experience; and higher prevalence of leukoplakia as compared to non-drug users. The findings of the study suggest that illicit drug use is independently associated with poor periodontal health.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhawan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012923:Social Class; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs