Today is International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Drug abuse effects cardiac crisis, respiratory depression, liver cirrhosis, nephropathy, infectious diseases such as hepatitis, AIDS, and tuberculosis, injury - associated disability, mental disorders - depression and also oral health problems - dental caries, periodontal diseases,mucosal dysplasia, xerostomia, bruxism, tooth wear, and tooth loss.
These drug categories include opiates, cannabis, hallucinogens, cocaine - and amphetamine-type stimulants and club drugs. Oral health complications associated with #drug abuse may result from direct exposure of oral tissues to drugs during smoking or ingestion, biologic interaction of drugs with normal physiology of oral cavity, and effects of drugs on brain function which result in a spectrum of addictive behaviours such as risk-taking behaviour, poor hygiene, aggression, and carelessness.
To empower dentists by providing oral health education and prevention material brochure/booklets/ videos/stories/real-life stories of survivors for addicts and their families.
- Dental services should be established in addiction rehabilitation centers to improve access to dental treatment.
- Diagnosis and management of oral problems in addicts
- Management of systemic disorders related to addiction during dental treatments
- Behavioural and psychological management of addicts during dental treatments
- Encouraging dentists’ positive attitude toward addicts
- Cross-infection control of blood-borne diseases