A Comparison of Methamphetamine Users to a Matched NHANES Cohort: Propensity Score Analyses for Oral Health Care and Dental Service Need.
Dental problems are among the most frequently reported health issues of drug users. This study describes, among the largest population of methamphetamine (MA) users to date (N = 459, including both HIV-negative and HIV-positive participants) oral hygiene practice, dental care access, and dental quality of life. A matched control group from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was utilized. Findings conclusively establish that MA users have severe oral health deficits compared to the general population: they are 3.5 times more likely to experience painful toothaches, 6.6 times to experience difficulty eating, and 8.6 times to be self-conscious due to dental appearance. HIV-positive users were more likely to have regular dental visits than HIV-negative users. Severity of use (both high-frequency use as well as injection as the method) was associated with poorer oral health care. Despite the magnitude of the need, few MA users receive the needed care.
Health Risk Reduction Projects, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Department of Psychiatry, University of California Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, USA. dmurphy@mednet.ucla.edu.
Debra A
DA
Murphy
Department of Biostatistics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Lauren
L
Harrell
Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Rachel
R
Fintzy
Department of Biostatistics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Thomas R
TR
Belin
San Fernando Dental Clinic NEVHC, San Fernando, CA, USA.
Alexis
A
Gutierrez
AIDS Project Los Angeles Dental Services, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Steven J
SJ
Vitero
Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Vivek
V
Shetty
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009909:Oral Health; D057216:Propensity Score; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult
D008694:Methamphetamine