Methods: In 2011, a close-ended questionnaire was administered to a random sample of in-treatment addicts from the three main socioeconomic areas of the city utilizing a stratified cluster random sampling method. Moreover, participants provided their backgrounds and addiction history during an in-person interview. A linear regression model served for statistical analysis.
Results: Among the participants (n=813; mean age of 40.5 years, SD 11.5; 4% women), 16% were totally edentulous. Mean duration of addiction was 10.8 years (SD 7.9). Nearly half of the dentate addicts rated their oral health as poor or very poor. Education, employment status, area of residence, and duration of addiction were factors significantly associated with individual's perception of oral health (P<0.05). Compared to dentate addicts, more edentulous patients rated their oral health as good (44% vs. 16%). Among the edentulous addicts, women, late starters of drugs, and users of opium or drugs other than crystalline heroin users revealed better perception of oral health.
Conclusions: Evaluation of self-perceived oral health, as an inexpensive and non-invasive way, is important in monitoring oral health situation of drug addicts. Most addicts in this study were not satisfied with their oral health. Differences in demographics and addiction history of the patients should be considered when planning oral health promotion activities.