Hospitalized mental health patients and oral health

Abstract

The purpose of this review of the literature is to present a contemporary perspective related to the nursing care of hospitalized mental health patients who have risk of developing oral health issues. Mental illness is a major health concern worldwide. Compounding this health issue, mental health patients/clients demonstrate avoidant behaviours related to oral health, and the symptoms of mental illness can be a compounding factor. Oral health and oral inflammatory disease are the result of lifestyle and behaviour and mental disorders affect both lifestyle and behaviour. The search used the search terms oral health AND nursing AND mental illness AND Published Date 2005 to 2010. For those who experience mental illness oral health assessment is not routinely practised by clinicians. The importance of special attention to dental problems for people with mental disorders has also been stressed by researchers since the lifespan of people with serious mental disorders is shortened compared to the general population. Oral health care is an important part of treatment. Routine oral care for hospitalized patients is imperative, and this is usually the responsibility of nurses without sufficient knowledge in oral care or comprehensive protocols to follow.

Facilitating knowledge of mental health nurses to undertake physical health interventions: a pre-test/post-test evaluation

“…The ability to screen for physical health conditions is of fundamental importance to mental health nursing practice, yet there is still evidence that physical health problems in mental health service users go largely unnoticed and, if identified, are often poorly managed (Phelan et al 2004, Edward et al 2011b). The seriousness of physical symptoms being incorrectly labelled as psychosomatic cannot be underestimated when one considers the number of people with severe and enduring mental illness at risk (Nocon 2004).…”

“…, Edward et al . ). The seriousness of physical symptoms being incorrectly labelled as psychosomatic cannot be underestimated when one considers the number of people with severe and enduring mental illness at risk (Nocon ).…”

“…() and Edward et al . () posit that that the physical health care needs of the patient diagnosed with SMI is a ‘care gap’ not being effectively met by either primary care or secondary mental health services. One major factor that may be a major influence here is that prevention of physical health problems for people with SMI would save billions in the long term (National Alliance on Mental Illness , Naylor et al .…”

Oral Care of Hospitalised Older Patients in the Acute Medical Setting

“…Such interventions should be applied to all hospitalised patients. It is encouraging to note that the literature supports that when nurses are offered education and decision support they respond positively and actively engage [38–40]. …”

Perfil E Condição Bucal Do Paciente Portador De Doenças Infectocontagiosas Atendidos No Hospital Oswaldo Cruz - Curitiba/Pr

“…Entretanto, esta ação geralmente tem ficado sob a responsabilidade de enfermeiros sem conhecimento suficiente em higiene bucal ou protocolos abrangentes para seguir (EDWARD et al, 2012).…”