UWC professor says patients with substance use disorder need holistic dental treatment [SOUND]

# University of the Western Cape professor Dirk Smith says the management of mouth and teeth problems in people with substance use disorder is often not prioritised. Smit’s dissertation, titled Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, Dental Status and Treatment Needs of People with Substance Use Disorder, investigated the profound impact on the oral health of the 504 participants from eight substance use treatment centres in the Western Cape. He says these patients need holistic dental treatment for improved well-being, as many have dental care needs: