243396 Is “Meth-Mouth” a Misnomer? Examining other confounding variables associated with poor oral health of chronic methamphetamine users

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Mujibunnisa Shaik, BDS , Oral Medicine and Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Fayaz Ibrahim, MD , Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Susan Pugliese, RN, DDS , Oral Medicine and Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Background: With the increasing use of methamphetamine, both illicit use and prescription drug abuse, dental care providers are reporting a characteristic pattern of rampant caries among its chronic users. This clinical picture is popularly called “Meth Mouth". Although the reports have been largely anecdotal, the term “meth mouth” has come to be accepted as if to denote a direct causal relationship between long term methamphetamine use and poor oral health.

Methods: Authors conducted a literature review to examine other possible variables which could confound this apparently strong one to one association. We initially searched English language literature for published studies on methamphetamine use and oral health. We used key words such as methamphetamine, caries, meth-mouth, poor oral health, confounding variables, co-variables, poly-substance use and dental services. We later expanded our search to include the references which have been cited in the selected studies.

Conclusion: We were able to identify 6 main confounding factors; (i) co morbid mental illness, (ii) co morbid infections due to needle sharing, (iii) concomitant use of other substances, (iv) personal factors, (v) toxic byproducts present in the methamphetamine and (vi) concomitant use of other medications. Authors believe that the term “meth-mouth” is a misnomer as methamphetamine abuse does not exclusively account for the poor oral health. Moreover the term is misleading because it fails to capture all the variables associated with poor oral health in this population, thereby compounding the problem of lack of adequate care.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Other professions or practice related to public health
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to identify and list different confounding variables associated with poor oral health in individuals with chronic methamphetamine use. The presentation will help raise the awareness among participants about special oral health needs specific to this population.

Keywords: Oral Health, Mental Disorders

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present I have clinical experience in providing dental care to substance abusers and I am currentlly working in the department of oral medicine and surgery at USNY Downstate
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.