Sense of coherence and oral health of users of psychoactive substances

ABSTRACT

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with the sense of coherence (SOC) and oral health conditions among users of psychoactive substances.Methods: Data were obtained from 131 individuals accompanied by the Alcohol and Drug Psychosocial Care Center located at Brazil. The dependent variable was SOC, measured by means of the SOC 13 scale. Independent variables included sociodemographic conditions, access to dental services and presence of pain of dental origin. In addition, the participants’ caries experience was evaluated by the mean of the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index.Results: As regards oral conditions, the mean DMFT index was 15.62 and the missing component represented the highest prevalence. Over half of the participants sought dental treatment for caries or treatment of pain recently and over a quarter of the sample reported dental pain in the last six months. Over half of the individuals had low SOC levels and the multiple logistic regression model showed that low scores on the SOC 13 scale were associated with substance users aged over 41 and female gender (p < .05).Conclusions: In conclusion, substance users had deteriorated oral health and low SOC levels. It is important to reinforce the SOC combined with the access to oral health services.

KEYWORDS:

• Oral health
• sense of coherence
• drug Users

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Acknowledgments

We express our sincere gratitude to the participants who contributed to this study.

Disclosure statement

No other authors have conflicts to disclose.