Tailoring advice

Jacob Watwood emphasises the need for personal patient support to improve oral health.

A dental professional’s ability to accommodate the needs of their patients is essential for providing effective care. When a patient requires additional support, clinicians should do all they can to offer tailored dental care plans. As has become increasingly clear in recent years, mental health and oral health are intrinsically linked. Amongst the most common mental illnesses that might impact a person’s oral health are anxiety, panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

It is important to approach patients who are experiencing mental illness with sensitivity, helping them to feel safe and confident in their abilities. It’s crucial that clinicians understand the link between mental illness and dental health, the long-term effects, and how best to support their patients.