Methods: The study involved 79 war veterans with PTSD (mean age 40.79±6.75). They were compared with 60 age-matched sequential dental clinic patients without PTSD who didn't participate in war (mean age 39.92±7.33). Dental caries, prosthetic status and treatment need were charted using the oral health assessment form according to WHO clinical procedure. Student t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The mean number of teeth in PTSD group was 21.36±6.83, and in the control group was 24.65±6.27 (p=0.004). PTSD patient had more decayed, missing and less filled teeth than control (p<0.05 for all). Furthermore, 79.9% of PTSD patients needed any dental treatment, mostly caries treatment with one or more surfaces filling. In 2.10% teeth extractions were indicated. In the control group 15% of subjects need any dental treatment. Compared to control, PTSD patient were less prosthodontic rehabilitated. Great majority of PTSD patients (92.4%) needed same form of prosthodontic treatment.
Conclusions: Dental patients with PTSD need additional oral hygiene education to prevent further teeth loss. Furthermore, there is need to work with their dentist to rehabilitate the decayed and missing teeth.