Oral health of Hong Kong homeless people

Abstract

Objectives: To study the caries experience, periodontal status and toothbrushing habit of the homeless people in Hong Kong. Methods: A convenient sample of 40 generally healthy and dentate homeless people attending one of the service homes in Hong Kong Island was invited in this study. They were asked about their toothbrushing habits. Clinical examination was performed with a disposable front surface dental mirror attached to an intra-oral LED light and ball-ended community periodontal index (CPI) probe. Caries experience and periodontal status were assessed with DMFT index and CPI. T-test and X2- test were used to assess association of toothbrushing habit and gender with untreated caries and periodontal pockets.

Results : A total of 37 people (93%) joined this pilot study. Their mean age (SD) was 71±14 years, and more than half (59%) of them were female. All the participants had caries experience and their mean DMFT (SD) was 21.1 (9.4). Two third (66%) of the caries experience were missing teeth, and 22% were untreated decay. None of the participants had healthy gums. About half (54%) of them had periodontal pockets with at least 4mm. About a quarter (27%) of them did not have daily tooth brushing habit. No correlation was found between their daily toothbrushing habit and untreated caries or periodontal pockets. Male had higher DT scores (p=0.001).

Conclusions: According to this pilot study, more than a quarter of Hong Kong homeless people had no daily toothbrushing. Their dental caries prevalence and experience was high, and many caries were left untreated. Their periodontal status was poor and about half of them had advanced periodontal disease.