Oral hygiene

From NursingWiki

Oral hygiene is one area in mental health that I feel is very much compromised. I work as an RN on a mental health unit and I find that most of the in-patients who are admitted come in with very poor oral health. Good oral hygiene is a major determinant of health in the general population, but in the mentally ill this is often not assessed and overlooked from admission to discharge. Poor oral hygiene also does not discriminate and affects people of all nations, despite age, sex and economic backgrounds. There are several factors that can contribute to poor oral health in the mentally ill, such as their impaired level of functioning, altered perceptions, saliva reducing medications, poor diet, homelessness, paranoia, delusions, etc. However, once a person is institutionalized whether in short term or long term institutions, oral health assessment, treatment or prevention are still not included in one's treatment plan of care. Reports have also indicated that the oral health of mentally ill patients are very poor and that many of these patients do have extensive dental disorders. Therefore, I feel that a Caries Assessment Tool or CAT should be implemented for use in instutionalized and community mental health patients in order for caregivers to coordinate dental care as part of the patients' treatment plans. This special population deserves to get oral health assessment, prevention and treatment but yet they are often negelected.

Pat Green, RN, MsEd.