Management of Dental Patients With Mental Health Problems in Special Care Dentistry: A Practical Algorithm

Introduction Individuals with mental health problems have poor oral health affecting their quality of life with an increased burden on their well-being. Dentists find treating them challenging due to a lack of training and awareness in modifications of dental care delivery in special needs patients. Also, polypharmacy is common in psychiatric care, further complicating dental care while prescribing routine medications as potential drug interactions must be considered. Methods Due to a lack of clinical practice guidelines in the literature and the absence of guidelines issued by dental governing bodies, we attempted to consolidate the existing challenges and propose a model for managing psychiatric special needs patients. Results and discussion Based on the current evidence, we hereby recommend ‘psychiatric dental consultation liaison’ (PDCL) services as the acceptable framework for the management of dental patients with mental health problems in special care dentistry. Conclusion PDCL services will favour both dentists and patients as it includes psychiatric consultation and interventions that will result in the positive execution of comprehensive dental treatment care.