Dental Health of Community-Dwelling Patients with Mental Disorders. / 地域で生活する精神障害者の歯科保健に関する研究
- Resource Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Kenji Mogi; Yuriko Hashimoto; 橋本 由利子; 茂木 健司
- Source
- 北関東医学 / The Kitakanto Medical Journal. 2006, 56(1):33
- Subject
- community health
mental disorders
oral health
口腔衛生
地域歯科保健
精神障害者
- Language
- Japanese
- ISSN
- 1343-2826
1881-1191
Background and Aims : Poor oral health has been reported among psychiatric patients in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health of community-dwelling patients with mental disorders and to discuss the problem of community dental services for them. Methods : Twenty-six patients with mental disorders living in the community and attending rehabilitation programs in Gunma Prefecture were asked about oral health habits and examined by a dentist. The results were compared with the results obtained from workers in the rehabilitation programs. Results : The main reason patients gave for reluctance to consult dentists was fear of dental treatments. Patients with mental disorders had more decayed teeth (DT) and a higher debris index (DI) than the workers in the rehabilitation programs. Seventy percent of the patients required dental treatments. Conclusion : Despite unhealthy oral conditions patients with mental disorders hesitate to consult dentist because of fear of dental treatments. Dentists and dental hygienists should know about mental disorders and study how to treat patients with such disorders. A dental examination system should be established for community-dwelling patients with mental disorders.