Oral examinations and questionnaires were completed by 535 inmates at Takuapa District Prison using DMFT, PUFA, CPI and OIDP. Regression included 418 complete OIDP respondents.
Key findings
- Mean DMFT was 10.05, untreated decay 6.22 and PUFA 2.41. Among dentate inmates, 63.6% had CPI 3–4 periodontitis. OIDP impairment was 50.7% and reported service access 48.6%.
Why this matters globally
Prison oral health is a global rights and public-health issue because inmates depend on one system. Prevention, screening and continuity can reduce pain, infection and inequity.
Thai researcher contribution
Chiang Mai University-affiliated investigators studied a vulnerable prison population in Southern Thailand.
Limitations to consider
One prison cannot represent the national system. Service use was self-reported and complete-case regression may introduce selection bias. Associations are not causal.