title: The Relationship between Methamphetamine Use and Dental Caries and Missing Teeth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationship between methamphetamine use and oral health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected in 1998 from 174 newly admitted prisoners in Iowa. Oral examinations identified dental caries and missing teeth, and personal interviews identified methamphetamine use and covariates. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, including testing for interaction effects, were used to examine the effects of methamphetamine use on oral health status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate regression analyses for carious teeth and surfaces showed significant interaction effects: methamphetamine*race/ethnicity (carious teeth: p=0.039; surfaces: p=0.023) and methamphetamine*tooth brushing when on drugs (carious teeth: p=0.044; surfaces: p=0.035). Methamphetamine use had a significant effect on dental caries among Non-Whites and among those who brushed their teeth less than once a day when on drugs. Soda consumption (carious teeth: p=0.026; surfaces: p=0.030) and reason for last dental visit (carious teeth: p=0.025; surfaces: p=0.011) were also associated with caries. For missing teeth there was a significant methamphetamine*race/ethnicity interaction (p=0.028) among Whites who used methamphetamine compared to Whites who did not use methamphetamine. Age (p=0.0001) and reason for last dental visit (p=0.0001) were also associated with missing teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of methamphetamine use on missing teeth was moderated by race/ethnicity,; while its effect on dental caries was moderated by race/ethnicity and tooth brushing when on drugs.
authors.forename: E Marcia
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: M Bridget
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D014099:Toothbrushing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: caries; methamphetamine use; missing teeth; oral epidemiology; polydrug use