Oral and Dental Health in Substance Dependent Individuals (ODH_SUD)

Izmir Democracy University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Teeth Missing; Decayed Teeth; Substance Use Disorder (SUD); Teeth Loss

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) according to the World Health Organization's caries diagnostic criteria.; Diagnostic Test: Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06640712

2024/234

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this cross-sectional clinical study is to compare the oral health status of individuals with Methamphetamine (MA), Cannabis (THC), and Polysubstance (PSU) use disorders to healthy controls. The study aims to answer:

How does substance use type (Methamphetamine, Cannabis, Polysubstance) affect dental health outcomes as measured by the DMFT index? What is the relationship between substance use characteristics (type, duration, and quantity) and oral health behaviors? Researchers will compare individuals with substance use disorders to a control group of healthy, non-substance-using individuals to assess the impact of different substances on dental health.

Participants will:

Undergo a clinical oral examination to evaluate dental health using the DMFT index.

Complete a questionnaire on sociodemographic information, substance use history, and oral health behaviors based on the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI).

This study contributes to understanding the dental health needs of individuals with substance use disorders and the importance of tailored dental interventions for this population.

Full description

This cross-sectional clinical study was conducted at İzmir Democracy University Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Education and Research Hospital Probation Clinic from April to August 2024. In line with Turkish policy, individuals involved in substance-related offenses attended probation clinics, where this study's participants were recruited. A sample of 190 individuals with Methamphetamine (MA), Cannabis (THC), and Polysubstance (PSU) use disorders was compared to a control group of 91 healthy male hospital employees with no history of substance use.

All participants underwent clinical oral health examinations performed by a trained dental student and specialist dentist, assessing dental health using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index based on WHO diagnostic criteria. The clinical assessments were conducted with a portable dental chair, artificial lighting, and a dental mirror. The examiners were blinded to participants' substance use and sociodemographic details.

In addition to clinical examinations, sociodemographic data, substance use history, and oral health behaviors were collected through a researcher-developed questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI). The study aimed to identify differences in dental health outcomes across substance use groups and to assess the relationships between oral health and variables such as substance type, usage duration, and oral health behaviors.

Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0, applying t-tests, ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation to evaluate differences and correlations across variables. A significance level of p<0.05 was applied for all tests. The findings contribute to understanding the dental health needs of individuals with substance use disorders, underscoring the importance of targeted dental care interventions for this population.

Enrollment: 281 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male participants
• aged 18 to 45
• methamphetamine, cannabis, or polysubstance users.

Exclusion criteria

• absence of urine toxicology analysis results,
• use of substances other than methamphetamine or cannabis,
• being under the influence of substances during the evaluation
• not meeting DSM-5 criteria for Substance Use Disorder,
• having any systemic medical conditions
• current medication use
• incomplete scales and forms.
• who wore removable dentures
• In the control group, individuals with a history of any substance use

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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281 participants in 4 patient groups

Arm 1: Methamphetamine Use Group

Experimental group

Description:

This group consists of individuals diagnosed with Methamphetamine Use Disorder. Diagnoses were conducted by the same psychiatrist for all participants. Following psychiatric evaluation, participants underwent a clinical oral health examination to assess their dental health status, with the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index being calculated afterward. This group is included to investigate the impact of methamphetamine use on oral health.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis

Diagnostic Test: Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) according to the World Health Organization's caries diagnostic criteria.

Arm 2: Cannabis Use Group

Experimental group

Description:

This group consists of individuals diagnosed with Cannabis Use Disorder. Diagnoses were performed by the same psychiatrist for consistency. After the psychiatric assessment, participants received a clinical oral health examination to determine their dental health status, and the DMFT index was calculated subsequently. This group aims to assess the effects of cannabis use on oral health.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis

Diagnostic Test: Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) according to the World Health Organization's caries diagnostic criteria.

Arm 3: Polysubstance Use Group

Experimental group

Description:

This group includes individuals who use multiple substances (polysubstance use disorder). All participants were evaluated by the same psychiatrist to ensure diagnostic accuracy. Following their psychiatric evaluation, participants had a clinical oral health examination, during which the DMFT index was calculated to assess dental health. This group is included to examine the impact of polysubstance use on oral health.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis

Diagnostic Test: Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) according to the World Health Organization's caries diagnostic criteria.

Arm 4: Control Group

Other group

Description:

Healthy, non-substance-using individuals This group consists of healthy individuals with no history of substance use, systemic medical conditions, or regular medication use. Diagnoses were confirmed by the same psychiatrist. Afterward, participants underwent a clinical oral health examination, and the DMFT index was calculated to provide a baseline for comparison with substance-using groups. This group serves as the control group to compare the dental health outcomes of non-substance-using individuals.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Dental caries was assessed using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) according to the World Health Organization's caries diagnostic criteria.