Dentition Status and Treatment Need among Psychitric Patients at Ndola Central Hospital, Copperbelt Province in Zambia

• Published in: International journal of contemporary dentistry Vol. 6
• Main Authors: Phiri, Priscilla, Nyerembe, Severine, Seter Siziya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangalore Incessant Nature Science Publishers Private Limited 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Alcohol; Dentition; Patients; Population studies; Teeth; Zambia
• ISSN: 2229-3493

Aim and Objective: To determine prevalence and correlates of dentition status and treatment needs among psychiatric patients in Zambia. Methods: A total of 110 patients participated in the survey. Dentition status was assessed according to WHO 1987 oral health survey method. Independent correlates for DMFT were established using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Most of the patients were aged less than 35 years (61.8%) and had attained secondary or higher level of education (66.4%). None of the females smoked or consumed alcohol. Meanwhile 45.0% of males smoked and 26, 4% consumed alcohol. Overall, 66.4% of patients had DMFT (one or more). Only age was independently associated with DMFT. Patients aged <35 years were 1.60 (95% CI [1.03, 2.49]) times more likely to have DMFT compared to those aged 35 years. Majority (82.7%) of patients needed dentition treatment. Extraction (40%) was the most required treatment followed by prosthesis (36.5%). Conclusion: Poor dentition status was prevalent in our study population with extensive unmet needs for dental treatment.