The Relationship of Oral Hygiene and Dental Caries In People with Mental Disorders at Yayasan Mitra Mulia Husada Palembang 2024

Marina Yolanda Prameisella; Rusmiati Rusmiati; Karin Tika Fitria

doi:10.35910/icohpj.v5i0.1052

Marina Yolanda Prameisella Departement of Dental Health, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Jambi, Indonesia
Rusmiati Rusmiati Departement of Dental Health, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Jambi, Indonesia
Karin Tika Fitria Departement of Dental Health, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Jambi, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35910/icohpj.v5i0.1052

Keywords: Mental disorder, Oral hygiene, Dental caries

Abstract

Background: Cognitive and behavioural disturbances in people with mental disorders (PWMD) often limit self‑care, predisposing them to oral‑health problems. This study examined the association between oral‑hygiene status and dental‑caries experience in PWMD residing at Yayasan Mitra Mulia Husada, Palembang.

Methods: An analytical cross‑sectional survey was conducted among 60 residents selected by purposive sampling. Oral hygiene was assessed with the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI‑S); dental caries was recorded with the Decayed–Missing–Filled Teeth (DMF‑T) index. The correlation between OHI‑S and DMF‑T scores was tested using Pearson’s r (α = 0.05).

Results: OHI‑S scores indicated poor hygiene in 61.7 % of participants, moderate in 38.3 %, and good in none. DMF‑T scores showed very high caries experience in 46.7 %, high in 20 %, moderate in 10 %, low in 16.7 %, and very low in 6.7 %. Pearson analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between OHI‑S and DMF‑T values (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), demonstrating that poorer hygiene was associated with higher caries levels.

Conclusion: There was a relationship between oral hygiene and dental caries in people with mental disorders at the Mitra Mulia Husada Palembang Foundation. The worse the dental hygiene status, the higher the caries rate. This is due to their unstable mental condition resulting in neglect of dental and oral hygiene, plus a lack of knowledge and attitude in maintaining dental hygiene, low motivation and family support, minimal assistance from health workers and made worse by the side effects of taking antipsychotic drugs for a long period of time which can cause dry mouth due to reduced saliva flow.