Understanding the importance of oral health in psychiatric patients

Dental disease and psychiatric illness are among the most prevalent health problems in the Western world. While the dental needs of mentally ill people are similar in type to those in the general population (Markette et al , 1975) there is some evidence that patients suffering from mental illness are more vulnerable to dental neglect and poor oral health (Stiefel et al , 1990; Armstrong, 1994). Sims (1987) reports that physical health problems are more common in psychiatric patients. They seem to be poorly recognised by psychiatrists, and oral health is no exception (Hede, 1995). Oral health is an important aspect of quality of life which affects eating, comfort, speech, appearance and social acceptance (Nordenram et al , 1994).