Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Met and unmet need for dental services among active drug users in miami, florida

  • Special Section
  • Published:
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study considers both met and unmet need for dental services among chronic drug users in Miami, Florida, and compares them with non-drug users recruited from the same neighborhoods (N=1,479). Three primary findings emerged: (1) dental problems are among the most frequently reported health problems, (2) drug use is independently associated with need for dental services, and (3) injection drug use is independently associated with increased odds of unmet need for dental services. These findings suggest that policies that increase access to dental services for drug users and other disadvantaged groups are needed. These services could be integrated into existing behavioral health programs already targeting active drug users.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Satcher D.Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Washington, DC: National Institutes of Health; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Loesche WJ. Periodontal disease: link to cardiovascular disease.Compendium of Continuing Education Dentistry. 2000;21(6):463–470.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fowler EB, Breault LG, Cuenin MF. Periodontal disease and its association with systemic disease.Military Medicine. 2001;166(1):85–89.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Emingil G, Buduneli E, Aliyev A, et al. Association between periodontal disease and acute myocardial infarction.Journal of Periodontology. 2000;71(12):18822–18826.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Scannapieco FA, Ho AW. Potential associations between chronic respiratory disease and periodontal disease: analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.Journal of Periodontology. 2001;72(1):50–56.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chen I. The Surgeon General's report on oral health: implications for research and education.New York State Dental Journal. 2000;66:38–42.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Allukian M Jr. The neglected epidemic and the Surgeon General's report: a call to action for better oral health.American Journal of Public Health. 2000;90(6):843–844.

    Google Scholar 

  8. National Center for Health Statistics.Health, United States, 2000 with Adolescent Chartbook. Hyattsville, MD: Centers for Disease Control; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gelberg L, Linn LS, Rosenberg DJ. Dental health of homeless adults.Special Care Dentist. 1988;8(4):167–172.

    Google Scholar 

  10. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Data, Nationwide-1999. http://www2.cdc.gov/nccdphp/brfss. Accessed December 4, 2000.

  11. Marcus M, Reifel NM, Nakazono TT. Clinical measures and treatment needs.Advances in Dental Research. 1997;11(2):263–271.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Capilouto E. Access to appropriate dental care.Current Opinions in Dentistry. 1991;1(3):316–321.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mueller CD, Schur CL, Paramore LC. Access to dental care in the United States.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1998;129(4):429–437.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Manski RJ, Magder LS. Demographic and socioeconomic predictors of dental care utilization.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1998;129(2):195–200.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Andersen RM, Davidson PL, Nakazono TT. Oral health policy and programmatic implications: lessons from ICS-II.Advances in Dental Research. 1997;11(2):291–303.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Gift HC, Atchison KA, Dayton CM. Conceptualizing oral health and oral health-related quality of life.Social Science and Medicine. 1997;44(5):601–608.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kuthy RA, Odom JG, Salsberry PJ, et al. Dental utilization by low-income mothers.Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 1998;58(1):44–50.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Atchison KA, Mayer-Oakes SA, Schweitzer SO, et al. The relationship between dental utilization and preventive participation among a well-elderly sample.Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 1993;53(2):88–95.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Tomar SL, Azevedo AB, Lawson R. Adult dental visits in California: successes and challenges.Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 1998;58(4):275–280.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Davidson PL, Andersen RM, Marcus M, et al. Indicators of oral health in diverse ethnic and age groups: findings from the International Collaborative Study of Oral Health Outcomes (ICS-II) USA research locations.Journal of Medical Systems. 1996;20(5):295–316.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Davidson PL, Andersen RM. Determinants of dental care utilization for diverse ethnic and age groups.Advances in Dental Research. 1997;11(2):254–262.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Manski RJ, Magder LS. Demographic and socioeconomic predictors of dental care utilization.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1998;129(2):195–200.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Roberts RE, Lee ES. Medical care use by Mexican-Americans: evidence from the human population laboratory studies.Medical Care. 1980;18(3):267–281.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ronis DL, Lang WP, Farghaly MM, et al. Tooth brushing, flossing, and preventive dental visits by Detroit-area residents in relation to demographic and socioeconomic factors.Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 1993;53(3):138–145.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Woolfolk MW, Lang WP, Borgnakke WS, et al. Determining dental checkup frequency.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1999;130(5):715–723.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Watson MR, Gibson G, Guo I. Women's oral health awareness and care-seeking characteristics: a pilot study.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1998;129(12):1708–1716.

    Google Scholar 

  27. McGrath C, Bedi R, Dhawan N. Factors influencing older people's self-reported use of dental services in the UK.Gerodontology. 1999;16(2):97–102.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Davidson PL, Cunningham WE, Nakazono TT, et al. Evaluating the effect of usual source of dental care on access to dental services: comparisons among diverse populations.Medical Care Research Review. 1999;56(1):74–93.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Draizin C, Gillespie J, Eisenbud L, et al. Dental needs of a methadone maintenance population.New York State Dentistry Journal. 1975;41(6):351–354.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Chitwood DD, McBride DC, Metsch LR, et al. A comparison of the need for health care and use of health care by injection-drug users, other chronic drug users, and nondrug users.American Behavioral Scientist. 1998;8(41):1107–1122.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Chitwood DD, McBride DC, Metsch LR, et al. Health care need and utilization: a preliminary comparison of injection drug users, other chronic drug users, and nondrug users.Substance Use and Misuse. 1999;43:727–746.

    Google Scholar 

  32. McCoy CB, Metsch LR, Chitwood DD, et al. Health services for chronic drug users in an era of managed care. In: Levy JA, Stephens R, McBride DC, eds.Advances in Medical Sociology. Stamford, CT: JAI Press; 2000;7:151–174.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Chitwood DD, Sanchez J, Comerford M, et al. Primary preventive health care among injection drug users, other sustained drug users and non-users.Journal of Substance Use and Misuse. 2001;36(6,7)807–824.

    Google Scholar 

  34. French MT, McGeary KA, Chitwood DD, et al. Chronic illicit drug use, health services utilization and the cost of medical care.Social Science and Medicine. 2000;50(12):1703–1713.

    Google Scholar 

  35. McGeary KA, French MT. Illicit drug use and emergency room utilization.Health Services Research. 2000;35(1):153–169.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Draizin C, Gillespie J, Eisenbud L, et al. Dental needs of a methadone maintenance population.New York State Dentistry Journal. 1975;41(6):351–354.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Dworkin SF. Dental health and attitudes toward dental care among drug addicts in New York City.Journal of Dental Education. 1971;35(2):53.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Shapiro S, Pollack BR, Gallant D. The oral health of narcotic addicts.Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 1970;30(4):244–249.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Rappaport SC. Dental management of the drug abuser.New York State Dental Journal. 1972;38(8):485–491.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Friedlander AH, Gorelick DA. Dental management of the cocaine addict.Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology. 1988;65(1):45–48.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Villa PD. Midfacial complications of prolonged cocaine snorting.Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. 1999;65(4):218–223.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Johnson CD, Brown RS. How cocaine abuse affects post-extraction bleeding.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1993;124:60–62.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Mitchell-Lewis DA, Phelan JA, Kelly RB, et al. Identifying oral lesions associated with crack cocaine use.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1994;25:1104–1108.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Crossley HL. Management of the active or recovering chemically dependent dental patient.Maryland State Dental Association Journal. 1996;39(2):85–88.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Sainsbury D. Drug addiction and dental care.New Zealand Dental Journal. 1999;95(420):58–61.

    Google Scholar 

  46. American Dental Association.Frequently Asked Questions: Tobacco Products. www.ada.org/public/faq/tobacco.html. Accessed December 4, 2000.

  47. Mechanic D. Sex, illness behavior, and the use of health services.Social Science and Medicine. 1978;1128:207–214.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Verbrugge LM. Gender and health: an update on hypotheses and evidence.Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1985;26:156–182.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Nakazono TT, Davidson PL, Andersen RM. Oral health beliefs in diverse populations.Advances in Dental Research. 1997;11(2):235–244.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Bullock K. Dental care of patients with substance abuse.Dental Clinics of North America. 1999;443(3):513–526.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Ratcliff JS, Collins GB. Dental management of the recovered chemically dependent patient.Journal of the American Dental Association. 1987;114:601–603.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1801 NW 9th Avenue, 3rd Floor, 33136, Miami, FL

    Lisa R. Metsch PhD (Associate Professor), Lee Crandall PhD (Professor) & Clyde B. McCoy PhD (Professor and Chair)

  2. Health Services Research Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA

    Brad Wohler-Torres MS (Senior Research Associate) & Christine C. Miles MA (Senior Research Associate)

  3. Department of Sociology, University of Miami, USA

    Dale D. Chitwood PhD (Professor and Chair)

Authors
  1. Lisa R. Metsch PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lee Crandall PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brad Wohler-Torres MS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christine C. Miles MA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dale D. Chitwood PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Clyde B. McCoy PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa R. Metsch PhD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Metsch, L.R., Crandall, L., Wohler-Torres, B. et al. Met and unmet need for dental services among active drug users in miami, florida. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 29, 176–188 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287704

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287704

Keywords

Search

Navigation