Recreational Drugs, Smoking, and Their Impact on Oral Health

Dear Colleague,

The increasing use of recreational drugs and tobacco presents significant challenges to both general and oral health. These substances have well-documented effects on the oral cavity, contributing to a range of complications that affect teeth, the periodontium, soft tissues, and overall oral function. Despite this, gaps remain in our understanding of the precise mechanisms, clinical implications, and effective management of the effects of smoking and recreational drugs on the oral cavity.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the short- and long-term effects of recreational drug use and smoking on oral health. We therefore welcome the submission of the following:

• Original research articles that present novel findings regarding the impact of recreational drugs and smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes) on oral structures, salivary composition, and disease progression.
• Systematic reviews that critically assess existing literature on drug-related oral health complications.
• Clinical case reports that offer unique insights into diagnosis, management, and treatment challenges.
• Perspective pieces that propose innovative viewpoints and future directions in research, prevention, and policy-making.

The scope of this Special Issue includes the following topics: 

• The effects of recreational drugs and smoking on oral structures, including enamel, dentin, the periodontium, and mucosa.
• The influence of substance use on salivary gland function, xerostomia, and the increased risk of caries.
• Drug-induced oral health behaviors (e.g., bruxism, poor hygiene, dietary changes) and their role in disease exacerbation.
• The impact of vaping and e-cigarettes on periodontal and oral mucosal health.
• Challenges in dental management and treatment planning for patients with a history of substance use.
• Interdisciplinary approaches that integrate dentistry with addiction medicine and public health efforts.
• Preventive strategies, educational initiatives, and policy recommendations for reducing the oral health risks associated with substance use.

By compiling research from multiple disciplines, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration among dental professionals, researchers, public health experts, and addiction specialists. We invite you to contribute to this vital discussion, advancing both clinical care and public health interventions for individuals affected by substance use.

Submission Guidelines:

Manuscripts should adhere to the journal's submission guidelines and formatting requirements. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process.

For inquiries, please contact the Guest Editor(s) or the Managing Editor Ms. Adele Min (adele.min@mdpi.com).

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this critical field of research.

Prof. Dr. Neamat Hassan Abubakr
Dr. John Colombo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Dentistry Journal is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• oral health
• recreational drugs
• smoking
• periodontal
• oral mucosal health
• oral function
• oral structures