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Abstract: 

Dental health for the poor in general and the incarcerated in particular is usually worse than that of the general population. It is even more compromised among drug users, especially amphetamine users, because of decreased saliva production, teeth grinding, and other problems. While the care inmates receive in prison is almost always better than what they have received outside, their dental health nonetheless often deteriorates in direct relation to length of incarceration. This article summarizes a study (“Decayed Prospects: A Qualitative Study of Prison Dental Care and its Impact on Former Prisoners” by Anne S. Douds, Eileen M. Ahlin, Philip R. Kavanaugh, and Ajima Olaghere, published in 41 Criminal Justice Review 21) that sought to determine why, and what could be done about it.

Keywords: Prison dental care

Affiliations:  1: Pace University School of Law Library.