title: Dental health of homeless adults in Toronto, Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the oral health status of the Toronto adult homeless population; to learn how they perceive their own oral health; and to correlate the presence of oral disease with length of homelessness and unemployment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 191 homeless adults who were randomly selected using a stratified cluster sample at 18 shelters. A questionnaire and clinical oral examination were conducted with participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth (DMFT) score of the subjects was 14.4 (SD = 8.1). Only 32% of them had visited a dentist during the last year, 75% believed that they had untreated dental conditions, and 40% had their last dental visit for emergency care. The clinical oral examination observed that 88% needed fillings, 70% periodontal, 60% prosthodontic, and 40% emergency treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homeless adults in Toronto have poor oral health, significant oral health treatment needs, and a lack of access to dental care.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. rafael.figueiredo@dentistry.utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Rafael L F
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quiñonez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D017266:Dental Prosthesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006209:Halitosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D012649:Self Concept; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014098:Toothache / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult