Management of Severe Mental Illness in the Dental Setting: A Grey Matter?

Abstract

Dental professionals treat patients with a range of mental illnesses. This article focuses on severe mental illness (SMI) and highlights the challenges that people with a severe mental illness may experience when accessing dental care. Additionally, it looks at the oral implications of SMI and the management strategies that dental professionals can employ to support patients in the dental setting. This article will not cover all mental illnesses and readers can also consult the recent series on mental health covered by Dental Update. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Severe mental illness is a condition that may frequently present in patients treated in primary dental care. Therefore, it is essential dental professionals have an understanding of how this can affect dental care.