Dental status of patients with mental disorders in a Nigerian teaching hospital: a preliminary survey

Although individuals with mental disorders are reported to experience dental problems similar to the general population, evidence suggests they actually have higher risks of dental disease and increased oral health needs. This study describes the dental status of 105 psychiatric outpatients in a Nigerian hospital. Information was obtained from subject interviews, medical records, and an oral examination to determine their dental caries and periodontal disease status. The oral hygiene status of the study participants was poor; the mean oral hygiene index score was 2.7 +/- 1.20. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth ranged from 0 to 9 with a mean of 2.3 +/- 2.28. Only five subjects (4.9%) had restorations and the mean number of filled teeth was .14 +/- .67. The subjects' age was significantly related to the mean oral hygiene score (p = .005), the mean gingival score (p = .006), and caries occurrence (p = .047). The oral health status of psychiatric patients in Nigeria is poor, indicating the need to provide oral health education and increase access to dental care for these patients.