Improving oral health care in mental health service – A retrospective study of oral health care monitoring for service users accessing community mental health team

Abstract

Introduction

Poor oral health can have a serious impact on quality of life, social inclusion and self-esteem. There is evidence to suggest that people with serious mental illness have a greater risk of experiencing oral disease and have greater oral treatment needs than the general population. Oral health problems are not well recognized by mental health professionals. We therefore conducted a retrospective study to review oral health care monitoring within the community mental health team.

Aims and objectives

To review the oral health care monitoring for patients accessing the community mental health team.

Methodology

Audit tool was developed based on oral health care guidelines outlined by the department of health, and literature review. We then retrospectively review medical records of 25 patients against following standards:.

– every client should have the most basic of oral hygiene equipment–toothbrush;

– clients should have basic oral hygiene knowledge, (i.e. brush twice or at least once a day);

– every client should be registered to a dental practitioner;

– every client should have at least one dental check-up per year;

– clients with dentures should have their dentures checked up at least once in five years;

– have a tooth brush less than three months old.

Results

Out of the 25 patients none had met the standards. It could be a reflection of lack of documentation rather than not providing appropriate information.

Conclusion

Oral health care advice should be part of care plan for people accessing mental health service.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.