Addiction:
Addiction can affect people of different ages, genders, and races. While some individuals manage to prevent their addiction from worsening, many struggle to overcome it. The way drugs and alcohol compel individuals to return to harmful habits demonstrates how strongly addiction can grip one’s life. Often, people are not fully educated on the long-term health consequences of alcohol, drug, and tobacco use. Among individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction can lead to a lack of access to healthcare, delayed treatment, and an increased risk of infectious diseases, resulting in both physical and emotional health issues. These effects are often visible through physical signs such as tooth decay and poor oral health.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4453891/
Factors Associated with Tooth Decay:
In a study of 350 homeless adults in 2018, illicit substance use from cocaine, cannabis, opioids, methamphetamine, and the use of nicotine/tobacco was significant in those who lost more than half of their teeth compared to those who lost less than half of their teeth. The significance was around 20%. This is justified by how drugs and alcohol can "diminished salivary flow and altered salivary composition, which can exacerbate upper respiratory irritation, including gastric acid regurgitation, further worsening oral health."
https://doi-org.proxy.lib.pdx.edu/10.1111/jphd.12288
How Can We Improve Oral Healthcare?
Increasing access to affordable dental care through community health centers or mobile dental clinics can help individuals who are unable to travel long distances or rely on walking. This approach would improve oral healthcare and educate those who are unaware of their conditions, helping to prevent their illnesses from worsening. Having access to a provider who is familiar within the community may create long-term trust and connections with the homeless population, encouraging other public health providers to follow their example. In fact, there are many mobile clinics around Portland and Washington. Click the link below to find the location and time of each clinic.
https://www.medicalteams.org/emergency-dental-clinics/
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