oral health care for drug addicts; a review of current status and a frame works for future activities

annually, 4.7% of people aged 15-64 (184 million people) consume illegal drugs globally which is associated with numerous social and individual harms. according to expanded physical, psychological and social complications of addiction, treatment methods must include a combination of medical, psychological and social care. in terms of oral health, addiction aggravates direct or indirect oral problems and there is a relation between substance use and addiction treatment protocols and oral care necessity. in addition to different direct complications of drug consume, some factors such as poor oral care, high sugar consume, inappropriate nutrition and numerous obstacles to reach dental care for addicts indirectly affects oral health of this population. therefore, oral care is emphasized as an integral part of general health services for the addicts and there is a need to integrate dental services with other health care programs provided to drug users.  this study not only reviews oral health problems associated with addiction, but also discusses possible strategies and ways to overcome obstacles to increase oral health of this population, in aim of suggesting a framework for further researches regarding providing oral care services and prevention programs in this area.