Naidoo, SudeshniSmit, Dirk Albertus2025-04-152025-04-152025https://hdl.handle.net/10566/20340Introduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) remains a growing health problem globally with the 2021 prevalence of 5.8% representing 296 million people who used drugs. The oral health impact of substance use disorder has been comprehensively described outside South Africa, but not as yet been investigated for its effect on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) especially within the South African context. The present study investigated the oral health status, dental treatment needs, oral health behaviour (OHB) and impact on OHRQoL of patients who were enrolled in a substance use treatment programme in theWestern Cape, South Africa. Furthermore, the study investigated the extent to which oral health interventions were offered for patients being treated for substance use disorder. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the oral health impact of substance use disorder (SUD), as well as to document the oral health interventions offered to patients enrolled in a treatment programme for a SUD. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with a mixed methods approach was used to collect data, together with standardized instruments, to measure severity of dental caries and presence of periodontal disease. A validated questionnaire was used to determine oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The dental treatment needs of patients was described from the both the perspective of the patient (using clinical examinations) as well as staff (using focus group discussions) who were working at substance use treatment centres. A qualitative approach was utilized to determine the extent to which oral health interventions were incorporated into the general treatment programme for SUDenSubstance use disorderOral health-related quality of lifeOral health statusDental treatment needsOral health behaviourThesis