Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
March 2008
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
9
Issue:
1

An investigation into the oral health status of male prisoners in the UK

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status and behaviours of a group of remand and convicted prisoners, and to report on factors that may affect their general and oral health. Method: A convenience sample of 122 prisoners participated in a structured interview followed by an oral examination. The structured interview investigated perceived oral health, past dental attendance and dental treatment, oral health behaviours, general health and socio-demographics factors. The oral health examination determined the oral health status and normative treatment need. Results: General health appeared to be poorer than in the general population with higher levels of mental illness and infectious diseases. A large proportion of prisoners reported tobacco (80%) and alcohol use (83%), drug dependency (84%) and high sugar diets (57%). Overall the oral health of prisoners was poor. There were no statistically significant differences between the remand and convicted groups. Compared with the general population, prisoners had higher levels of decay and lower levels of both missing and filled teeth. They also reported higher levels of dental anxiety and more frequent use of emergency dental services. Conclusion: Prisoners have poorer general and oral health than the non-prison population. Remand prisoners reported a higher level of dental anxiety and were more likely to value their teeth, visit the dentist and opt for restoration of an anterior tooth than convicted prisoners. Convicted prisoners expressed more perceived need than their fellow remand prisoners, even though convicted prisoners normative need tended to be lower.

Key words: Prisoners, general health, oral health, substance abuse

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
3
Page End
12
Authors
Janice Fiske, Chris Dickinson, E Heidari

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 2
  3. 2

  1. An investigation into the oral health status of male prisoners in the UK
  2. 3
  3. 12

  1. Extensive dental caries in unerupted permanent teeth of a disabled child with phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth
  2. 13
  3. 16

  1. Current concepts in the pathogenesis and management of oral mucositis as a complication of cancer therapy
  2. 17
  3. 23

  1. Factors influencing the decision to perform dental treatment under general anaesthesia in children with intellectual disability
  2. 27
  3. 30

  1. Dental management of a child with Congenital Rubella Syndrome
  2. 31
  3. 34

  1. Prisoner and lay opinions of a prison-issue oral health kit
  2. 35
  3. 41

  1. Special Care Dentistry in daily practice
  2. 42
  3. 43

  1. IADH Symposium at FDI – Dubai 2007
  2. 44
  3. 47

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