Victor Badner

Oral Health Status Among Women Inmates at Rikers Island Correctional Facility

This study investigated the oral health status [Decayed (D), Missing (M), and Filled (F) teeth (DMFI)J and dental experience of women detained by the New York City (N.Y.C.) Department of Corrections at Rikers Island Correctional Facility. The population (183) was 27.6 ± 5.8 years old and primarily black. The mean DMFT was 9.9, the percent D/DFT was 34.3, and percent M/DMFT was 27.4. Almost one third of the detainees complained of oral pain. Only 41.1 and 67.9 percent had dental treatment within 12 and 24 months respectively. One third of the last treatments were for tooth extraction. The DMFT, percent D/DFT, percent M/DMFT, time between appointments, need for emergency care and utilization of extractions all indicated that New York female detainees have a large amount of unmet dental need, a past dental history consisting of emergency dental care, and limited utilization of preventive and restorative dental services. Thus, there is obvious need for correctional facilities to provide access to dental treatment for women detainees with oral pain and major oral needs, and to ensure that inmates receive appropriate dental services in a timely fashion.