Dental Health Requirements for Psychiatric Patients

Background

This study was conducted to assess the dental treatment requirements of psychiatric patients in comparison with the non psychiatric patients admitted in the hospital.

Methods

A total of 103 hospitalised psychiatric patients were examined with an equal number of non psychiatric hospitalized patients.

Result

73.22 % of psychiatric patients exhibited higher caries index along with higher decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) as compared to 68.31 % in the control group. The incidence of periodontal diseases were significantly higher among the study group than the controls. There were statistically significant correlation between smoking, family pattern, calculus index and gingival index amongst psychiatric patients.

Conclusion

There was a higher incidence of caries index, missing teeth and less filled teeth among psychiatric patients, indicating extensive dental treatment requirement for this group.Key Words: Dental caries, Periodontal disease, Psychiatric patients