IADR Abstract Archives
Community program “Smile to community" at Rambam Health Care Campus and the Haifa shelter for battered women.
Objectives: Violence against women is a health care problem of epidemic proportions. In addition to the immediate trauma caused by abuse, domestic violence contributes to a number of chronic health problems. Dental neglect is common in battered women. Hence, the present study was conducted with the aim to assess the effect of domestic violence on oral health behavior and oral health status of females attending community outreach program.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through the community outreach programs organized by School of Graduate Dentistry. Dental status and caries risk were assessed by determining the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth and DMFT index of battered women. As part of the program the women's received basic dental check-up, diagnosis, oral hygiene instructions, extractions and basic restorative treatment.
Results: A total of 45 women were checked. 38 of them were Israelis citizens. The mean age of the participants was 28±7 years. Mean DMFT was 9.56 ± 5.2, Caries prevalence (D component ≥ 1) (DMF-T ≥ 1) was 5.1. The mean of missing teeth was 3.1. Measured F component was 1.3. One hundred percent of women presented gingivitis. The basic dental treatment provided: 43 restorations, 49 oral hygiene instructions, 32 primary periodontal preparations, 15 extractions and 14 emergency dental treatments.
Conclusions: The present study confirmed that domestic violence might influence on oral health status of women. Thus, dental public and voluntary organizations as well as dental professionals should be aware of victims who gain access to support and referral services. Efforts should be made to provide them with adequate treatment as part of their overall rehabilitation process to perform the expected positive change in their lives.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through the community outreach programs organized by School of Graduate Dentistry. Dental status and caries risk were assessed by determining the number of decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth and DMFT index of battered women. As part of the program the women's received basic dental check-up, diagnosis, oral hygiene instructions, extractions and basic restorative treatment.
Results: A total of 45 women were checked. 38 of them were Israelis citizens. The mean age of the participants was 28±7 years. Mean DMFT was 9.56 ± 5.2, Caries prevalence (D component ≥ 1) (DMF-T ≥ 1) was 5.1. The mean of missing teeth was 3.1. Measured F component was 1.3. One hundred percent of women presented gingivitis. The basic dental treatment provided: 43 restorations, 49 oral hygiene instructions, 32 primary periodontal preparations, 15 extractions and 14 emergency dental treatments.
Conclusions: The present study confirmed that domestic violence might influence on oral health status of women. Thus, dental public and voluntary organizations as well as dental professionals should be aware of victims who gain access to support and referral services. Efforts should be made to provide them with adequate treatment as part of their overall rehabilitation process to perform the expected positive change in their lives.