TY - JOUR
T1 - Access to dental care and dental ill-health of people with serious mental illness: Views of nurses working in mental health settings in Australia
AU - HAPPELL, Brenda
AU - PLATANIA-PHUNG, Chris
AU - SCOTT, DAVID
AU - HANLEY, CHRISTINE
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - People with serious mental illness experience higher rates of oral and dental health problems than the
wider population. Little is known about how dental health is viewed or addressed by nurses working with mental health
consumers. This paper presents the views of nurses regarding the nature and severity of dental health problems of
consumers with serious mental illness, and how often they provide advice on dental health. Mental health sector nurses
(n = 643) completed an online survey, including questions on dental and oral health issues of people with serious mental
illness. The majority of nurses considered the oral and dental conditions of people with serious mental illness to be worse
than the wider community. When compared with a range of significant physical health issues (e.g. cardiovascular
disease), many nurses emphasised that dental and oral problems are one of the most salient health issues facing people with
serious mental illness, their level of access to dental care services is severely inadequate and they suffer significantly
worse dental health outcomes as a result. This study highlights the need for reforms to increase access to dental and oral
health care for mental health consumers.
AB - People with serious mental illness experience higher rates of oral and dental health problems than the
wider population. Little is known about how dental health is viewed or addressed by nurses working with mental health
consumers. This paper presents the views of nurses regarding the nature and severity of dental health problems of
consumers with serious mental illness, and how often they provide advice on dental health. Mental health sector nurses
(n = 643) completed an online survey, including questions on dental and oral health issues of people with serious mental
illness. The majority of nurses considered the oral and dental conditions of people with serious mental illness to be worse
than the wider community. When compared with a range of significant physical health issues (e.g. cardiovascular
disease), many nurses emphasised that dental and oral problems are one of the most salient health issues facing people with
serious mental illness, their level of access to dental care services is severely inadequate and they suffer significantly
worse dental health outcomes as a result. This study highlights the need for reforms to increase access to dental and oral
health care for mental health consumers.
KW - dental health
KW - oral health
KW - oral health.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84923250457&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/PY13044
DO - 10.1071/PY13044
M3 - Article
SN - 1448-7527
VL - 21
SP - 32
EP - 37
JO - Australian Journal of Primary Health
JF - Australian Journal of Primary Health
IS - 1
ER -