Oral health status of outpatients with mental disorders in a specialist tertiary hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background: This study assessed the caries experience and gingival health of outpatients with mental disorders, comparing those with psychotic disorders to those with non-psychotic disorders at a specialist psychiatry clinic. Oral health is vital for overall health, making it essential to examine the oral health status of these individuals with a focus on specific variables.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital psychiatry clinic in Enugu State, Nigeria, between May and June 2023. Data on demographic variables were collected from 260 respondents using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Oral health status was clinically assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), and the Gingival Index (GI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with significance at p < 0.05.

Results: Out of 260 respondents, 155 (60%) had psychotic disorders, while 105 (40%) had non-psychotic disorders. Both groups had low mean DMFT scores of 1.0± (1.07) for psychotic and 1.0± (0.9) for non-psychotic disorders. The OHI-S indicated that 68 (69.4%) of patients with psychotic disorders and 30 (30.6%) of those with non-psychotic disorders had poor oral hygiene. Additionally, 137 (58.5%) participants in the psychotic group and 97 (41.5%) in the non-psychotic group brushed their teeth once daily. A total of 145 (58.9%) participants in the psychotic group and 101 (41.1%) in the non-psychotic group did not receive assistance while brushing. Furthermore, 98 (59.8%) participants in the psychotic group and 66 (40.2%) in the non-psychotic group did not consume alcohol, while 149 (59.1%) in the psychotic group and 103 (40.9%) in the non-psychotic group were non-smokers.

Conclusion: Participants exhibited low caries experience due to their motivation to practice self-care, as evidenced by a majority brushing at least once daily without assistance, utilizing a toothbrush and toothpaste, and low alcohol consumption and tobacco use. However, poor oral hygiene persisted, particularly among those with psychotic disorders compared to non-psychotic disorders. This highlights the importance of integrating oral health education, counselling, and routine intraoral examinations in the care of psychiatric patients to prevent the onset or progression of oral diseases in this population.