Oral Health in Adults with Serious Mental Illness: Needs for and Perspectives on Care

This study used qualitative methods to investigate barriers to and facilitators of oral health care among 25 adult community mental health outpatients with serious mental illness (SMI). Participants completed 30- to 60-min, semi-structured interviews that were recorded and transcribed. Qualitative analysis was used to characterize common themes. Results showed that lack of awareness of dental problems, poverty, and dental care access were key barriers to oral health care. When oral health care was accessed, fear of stigma was associated with missed opportunities to educate about the intersection of mental and oral health. Community mental health providers were viewed as trusted and important sources of advocacy and support for obtaining oral health care when needed. Oral health may be improved for persons with SMI by implementing education in points of frequent service contact, such as community mental health.