Abstract

TETARWAL, A; YENGOPAL, V; MUNSHI, I  and  MEEL, R. Oral health status among Nyaope users at drug rehabilitation clinics in Johannesburg. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2019, vol.74, n.1, pp.13-18. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2019/v74no1a2.

Nyaope is an extremely addictive drug mixture having devastating health effects. This comparative cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at two drug rehabilitation clinics in Johannesburg. METHOD: A total of 51 nyaope users and 25 matched non-drug users (NDUs) were recruited. To compare the oral health status between the groups, the DMFT (decayed, filled and missing), PUFA, (pulpal involvement, ulceration caused by dislocated tooth fragments, fistula and abscess), BOP (bleeding on probing) and PPD (periodontal pocket depth) scores were measured. Additionally, a validated questionnaire was administered to assess sociodemographic, diet and dental behaviour among the participants RESULTS: The mean age of nyaope users was 26.4±4.84 years and of NDUs, 26.04±4.09 years. The prevalence and severity (mean DMFT) of dental caries was significantly higher in Nyaope users than NDUs (82.35% vs. 48.0%; p=0.03) and [3.97±4.11 vs. 2.04±2.81 (p=0.03)] respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of BOP (p=0.50) and PPD (>4mm) (p=0.53) between two groups and the PUFA scores were similar. Only 51% of nyaope users (vs. 100% NDUs) reported daily brushing and 100% (vs. 56% of NDUs) had a highly cariogenic diet CONCLUSION: Nyoape users had significantly higher cariogenic diets, caries prevalence, and DMFT scores compared with NDUs

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