Fikri ÖCAL, Enis ŞİMŞEK, Ayşe Gül ÖNER TALMAÇ, Esra PORGALI ZAYMAN
İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi - 2026;14(1):184-195
This study investigated the impact of a major natural disaster-the 2023 Türkiye earthquake-on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), tooth wear, and oral hygiene by comparing affected individuals with those who did not experience the earthquake. A total of 504 participants were enrolled in a cross-sectional clinical study conducted at the İnönü University Faculty of Dentistry between June and July 2025. PTSD symptoms were assessed, and oral health evaluations included the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Smith and Knight's Tooth Wear Index. Results indicated significantly higher PTSD symptoms among individuals who experienced the earthquake, with PTSD prevalence of 43.03% in the exposed group, compared to 17.79% in the non-exposed group. Tooth wear scores were notably higher in participants with PTSD scores of 25 or above, suggesting a potential link between psychological stress and dental health. Oral hygiene was poorer in the earthquake-experienced group and was positively correlated with PTSD scores. Additionally, women exhibited higher PTSD scores and poorer oral hygiene than men, contrary to some previous findings. Younger individuals (<35 years) in the non-exposed group demonstrated better oral hygiene than those in other age groups. Despite these associations, the cross-sectional nature of the study limits causal interpretations. The findings emphasize the multifactorial relationship between psychological trauma and oral health, underlining the need for further longitudinal research to explore the long-term dental impacts of PTSD and disaster-related stress.
