Project Overview

Opioid dependence significantly burdens the global community. It causes numerous oral health problems and neglect of oral health, seeking help only when problems become severe. Even when on opioid maintenance therapy, about one-third of patients exhibit increased alcohol consumption which is also linked to poor oral health outcomes. Poor oral health leads to low self-esteem, poor physical health, and chronic diseases. Persons with a substance use disorder are at an increased risk of chronic diseases and a lower quality of life. They have infrequent dental check-ups because of many barriers: stigmatization by dentists, eligibility criteria for public dental, and the cost of private care.  

One solution is to utilise the non-dental workforce to address this issue such as nurses who provide care to patients across many health services. AOD (Alcohol and other drugs) nurses closely interact with their clients as they can deliver opioid maintenance therapy. However, oral health education interventions for this group have not been researched well. This is despite AOD nurses expressing interest in oral health education training and incorporating oral health assessments into routine practice. Furthermore, pilot work has identified challenges for this group in promoting oral health such as lack of training and other resources to support the practice.