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References

Letters to the Editor

From Volume 50, Issue 3, March 2023 | Page 222

Authors

Vishal Aggarwal

Clinical Associate Professor in Acute Dental Care and Chronic Pain; School of Dentistry, University of Leeds

Articles by Vishal Aggarwal

David Shiers

Honorary Research Consultant, Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Manchester; Honorary Reader in Early Psychosis, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester; Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire

Articles by David Shiers

Jasper Palmier-Claus

Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Lancaster University

Articles by Jasper Palmier-Claus

Paul French

Professor in Mental Health Research, Manchester Metropolitan University

Articles by Paul French

Carolyn Chew-Graham

Professor of General Practice, Keele University

Articles by Carolyn Chew-Graham

Emily Peckham

Senior Research Fellow, University of York

Articles by Emily Peckham

Masuma Mishu

Lecturer in Public Health, University College London

Articles by Masuma Mishu

Emma Elliott

Academic Longitudinal Foundation Dental Trainee

Articles by Emma Elliott

Article

Why does patient mental health matter?

Following the positive response to the Dental Update series: ‘Why does patient mental health matter?’, we felt readers might also be interested in our recent ‘Right to Smile’ consensus statement, which has been endorsed by several national and international dental and mental health organizations.1

Importantly, this statement sets out 5-year targets for whole-person care to improve oral health in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Over the next 5 years, any person experiencing severe mental ill health should expect their risk of poor oral health to be reduced by more effective whole-person care.

This will require a joined-up approach involving dental teams. Key targets that readers may wish to consider and incorporate in dental management of people with SMI are as follows:

  • Any assessment of physical health in people experiencing severe mental ill health must include consideration of oral health.

    • This target is currently being implemented nationally and locally via primary care and mental health teams. Readers who are working in dental practice may receive contact from these teams requesting dental access for patients with SMI.

  • Access to dental services for people with severe mental ill health needs to improve.

    • Our team is currently exploring use of link workers to enable and support dental access for people with SMI. Readers in dental practice may wish to engage in dialogue with local commissioners should they wish to provide additional services for this vulnerable group.

  • The importance of oral health for people experiencing severe mental ill health should be recognized in healthcare training, systems and structures.

    • We have published our recent Dental Update series and consensus statement to highlight the importance of oral health in people with severe mental illness. An online module to supplement this series has also been produced and is being adopted by several dental schools to raise awareness in this area among undergraduate students.

    In response to increasingly robust evidence, the Right to Smile campaign believes that tackling this health inequality is overdue and deserves urgent attention. If we equip people with the right knowledge and skills, while supporting the adoption of healthy routines, including regular dental check-ups before things go wrong, we can make a real difference to an individual's health and their wellbeing. We urge readers to consider, support and implement this initiative in their own service delivery.