Status and perception of oral health in 6-17-year-old psychiatric inpatients-randomized controlled trial

The following are the aims of the study: assessment of oral health status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the effect of oral health care training over OHRQoL in children and adolescents hospitalized with mental disorders.

This randomized case controlled prospective interventional study involved 81 child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients (CAP) aged between 6 and 17 years (mean age 10.6 ± 2.4 years), compared to 81 mentally healthy patients attending routine dental examinations (DC group) matched according to age and sex of the CAP group. Oral examinations were performed by two calibrated dentists. OHRQoL was assessed with the German version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire. CAP inpatients were randomly divided in two equal subgroups, an intervention (IG) and a non-intervention group (non-IG). The IG received oral health care training at admission to the hospital.

CAP inpatients, especially those with stress-related disorders, revealed significantly higher caries prevalence and experience than DC patients. Although OHRQoL did not differ from the German reference values, CAP inpatients compensated higher impairment due to oral symptoms and functional limitations with lower impairment due to emotional and social well-being. OHRQoL increased in all CAP patients during hospitalization, regardless of receiving oral health care training.

Poorer oral health of CAP inpatients was not accompanied by higher impairment of OHRQoL. Oral problems seem to be overshined by better self-perceived emotional and social well-being. OHRQoL was not improved by individualized oral health care training.

Children and adolescents with mental disorders are at risk for oral diseases and need referral to dental services.