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Poor dental health in British Army Infantry recruits reduces their quality of life: A cross‐sectional survey and retrospective analysis of health records
Author(s) -
Edwards David,
Ramsey Richard,
Breeze Johno,
Dermont Mark
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
oral surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.156
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1752-248X
pISSN - 1752-2471
DOI - 10.1111/ors.12652
Subject(s) - medicine , infantry , incidence (geometry) , population , military personnel , dentistry , quality of life (healthcare) , cross sectional study , environmental health , pathology , nursing , political science , law , physics , optics
Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a determinant of an individual's wellbeing and can be affected by dental disease. For military recruits, adverse OHRQoL may result in poor performance, and has safety implications. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of dental extractions and dental health of a sample of new Infantry recruits. Method Electronic healthcare recordings of tooth extraction incidence were compared to recruits from the general military population. Clinical dental examinations and patient questionnaires were used to determine the prevalence and impact of caries using the PUFA (Pulp exposure, Ulceration, Fistula, Caries) criteria. The association between caries and PUFA lesions with self‐reported oral health behaviours and beliefs was explored. Results The incidence of tooth extraction was 2.4 times higher in new Army Infantry recruits than recruits in the general UK military population. 211 recruits were assessed, with a 100% response rate. 135/211 (64%) had caries, and 37/21117.5% had a PUFA lesion at the time of inspection. Sleep loss was significantly more likely in those with PUFA lesions than those without (OR 5.62, p < 0.0001). Conclusions Those military Infantry recruits with caries and PUFA lesions had worse OHRQoL than those that did not. This was evidenced by poorer sleeping patterns and an inability to perform tasks at work. Treatment of dental disease through extractions was higher in Army Infantry recruits and will likely reduce the number of days taken off sick, but its effect on overall OHRQoL cannot yet be substantiated.