Evaluation of DMFT Index Based on Mental and Psychological Profile in Shahedieh, Yazd Province

Oral health affects physical and mental health, growth, enjoyment and community. Anxiety and depression can lead to tooth decay, thereby indirectly affecting the periodontal health of people. Those who experience mental illness also suffer from poor oral health and do not adherence with oral health instructions. Mental illness leads to fear, unhealthy habits, and distrust of dentists, each of which alone affects oral and dental health. This study aimed to evaluate the DMFT-affecting mental diseases in adults in Shahedieh in a cohort study in 2016.

In this prospective cohort study, Shahedieh cohort plan was used to collect the research data. Different psychological variables such as the history of these diseases, the drugs used in these patients, and the current incidence of mental illness were extracted from the especial Yazd Shahedieh cohort questionnaire. Oral health status in the participants was estimated based on the DMF index for permanent teeth in the participants. Mean, percentage, and standard deviation was performed to describe descriptive data, as well as Chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA, Regression. In addition, a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In the present study, total, 9967 subjects were enrolled in the study, 5028 of whom were men and 4939 were women. No significant difference was observed between the male and female participants regarding the number of decayed (p=0.14) and missing teeth (p=0.24) and DMFT index (p=0.69). There was no significant relationship between age and DMFT indexes. No correlation was observed between the level of education and DMFT index (p=0.147). There was no significant relationship between DMFT index and psychological disorders (depression [P=0.19]), other psychiatric diseases [P= 0.32]), mental health care (depression treatment [P=0.45] and treatment of other psychiatric diseases [P=0.97].)

According to the results of the study, no significant relationship was found between the DMFT index based on the mental and psychological profiles of the subjects.