THE CORRELATION BETWEEN POOR ORAL HYGIENE AND ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG DRUG USERS

drug users oral hygiene oral disease quality of life

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30 September 2025

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Background: Banjarbaru City has the highest rate of drug abuse in South Kalimantan Province, namely 26.64%. Long-term use of drugs, especially psychotropic types, can cause a decrease in saliva production, causing poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene can reduce the quality of life for drug users. Purpose: This study aims to determine the relationship between dental and oral hygiene and quality of life in drug users. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated a representative sample of drug users in Rehabilitation Center Griya Pemberdayaan, Banjarbaru. The sample in the study consisted of 38 respondents who were taken using a simple random sampling technique. Dental and oral hygiene were assessed using the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified, and quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The data were analysed using the Pearson correlation test and the linear regression test. Results: Dental and oral hygiene for drug abusers have an average score of 3.38 and an average quality of life score of 21.25. Poor oral hygiene is associated with poor quality of life in drug abusers (r = 0.572, p-value <0.000). Regression analysis showed that poor oral hygiene was a predictor of poor quality of life (β: 3.936; R2: 0.328; p <0.000). Conclusion: Drug use has a negative impact on oral hygiene and quality of life, thus highlighting the need for special attention regarding the oral health needs of this population.