A survey on oral health status and treatment needs of life-imprisoned inmates in central jails of Karnataka, India

Background: The prison population is a unique and challenging one with many health problems, including poor oral health. In a developing country like India, oral health problems of the prisoners had received scant attention. Objectives: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of life imprisoned inmates and to know the existing oral health care facilities available in central jails of Karnataka. Materials and methodology design: Cross sectional survey Participants: A systematically selected sample of 800 life imprisoned inmates, were interviewed and examined using modified WHO oral health assessment proforma (1997). Results: The prevalence of caries was 97.5% mean Decayed Missing Filled Teeth(DMFT) was 5.26; Majority of the study population had Community Periodontal Index(CPI) score of 2, whereas 21.6% had at least one sextant with a CPI score of 4. 41.1% prisoners were severely affected with loss of attachment. 8.8% inmates had dentures. Oral sub mucous fibrosis was observed among 9.9% of prisoners. 97.4% of the subjects needed oral hygiene instruction, 87.6% needed restoration, 62.1% extraction of teeth and 32.2% needed prosthesis. Bangalore and Mysore central jail had oral health care facilities on regular basis. Conclusion: This study emphasises the need for special attention from government and voluntary organisations to improve the oral health of inmates.