Key Points
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The remand prison population represents 18% of the total prison population in the UK.
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Remand prisoners have compromised general and oral health compared with the general non-prison population.
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Remand prisoners exhibit high levels of mental illness and infectious disease.
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Poor oral health presented with high levels of decay and low levels restorative treatment.
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Non-healthy behaviours such as recreational drug use, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and diets high in sugar content were commonplace.
Abstract
Overview This study investigated the general and oral health status and behaviours and the dental treatment requirements of remand prisoners. It makes recommendations on how their oral health care needs may be met.
Method A convenience sample of 78 remand prisoners participated in the study within HMP Brixton. The study involved a structured interview, to establish health status and behaviours as well as perceived oral health needs, combined with an oral examination to establish normative treatment need.
Results Prisoners' general health was compromised. In particular, there were high levels of mental illness and infectious disease. Unhealthy behaviours such as tobacco smoking, alcohol use, drug dependency, and high sugar diets were commonplace. This affected the remand prisoners' oral health, which presented with high levels of decay and relatively low levels of both missing and filled teeth. Whilst prisoners made high use of prison dental services, they made little use of dental services outside of prison. The high turnover of remand prisoners and high demand for emergency care made the delivery of preventive and routine care difficult.
Conclusion Remand prisoners have compromised general and oral health compared with the general population. They exhibit poor oral health, which is contributed to by their lifestyles and health behaviours.
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Notes
*NB: for all periodontal parameters there were two recording sites, medial and distal, per tooth.
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Acknowledgements
The authors express their gratitude to the participants and the staff of HMP Brixton, in particular Mr Andy Ransome (Head of Health Care). Dr E Heidari would also like to express her appreciation to Dr Liana Zoitopoulos (Head of Community Special Care Dentistry at KCL Dental Institute) for the support that allowed this study to be undertaken.
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Heidari, E., Dickinson, C., Wilson, R. et al. Oral health of remand prisoners in HMP Brixton, London. Br Dent J 202, E5 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.32
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