Dental Management in Psychiatric Patients
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Date
2010-03-25
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Journal of the Dental Association of Thailand
Abstract
It is necessary for dentists to have knowledge and to understand patients’ medical diseases or conditions prior to rendering dental treatment. Not only physical illnesses, but mental disorders may also affect dental treatment and patient management. Nowadays, a greater proportion of people suffer from mental illness live within the community. In addition, psychiatric disorders can contribute to oral mucosal change and movement change that could impair patients’ ability to take care of their oral hygiene. Moreover, several psychotropic drugs cause dryness of mouth. Patients taking these drugs may have increased coronal and root caries, periodontal disease, partial loss of taste and candidiasis. To perform dental treatment in psychologically compromised patients, dentists should have basic knowledge about psychiatric disorders, behavioral change, effects of medication that patient received, dentally relevant side effects and drug interaction. Dental treatment in psychiatric patient requires thorough history taking, careful selection of drugs used for dental treatment and flexible treatment plan. Proper patient management will result in safe and successful dental treatment in psychiatric patients. It is also important to maintain adequate oral hygiene by effective preventive dental programs.
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Journal of the Dental Association of Thailand; Vol.59 No.1 January-March 2009; 51-62