[Psychological disorders in the oral healthcare practice. Borderline and other personality disorders].

Personality disorders are prevalent and increase the risk of a range of serious dental problems. In the oral healthcare practice, however, this diagnosis is often not known and the disorder is not always immediately recognizable. Trial and error may bring it to the fore. It may cause tension in the therapeutic relationship and the development of trust. The largest problems in the therapeutic relationship are encountered in patients with severe (borderline) personality disorder, often attributable to a history of (early) childhood emotional neglect and traumatization. It is important to recognize relevant patterns timely and restore (potential) failures of trust in the relationship whenever possible. This requires timely recognition, understanding, tolerance, showing compassion and patience, and also establishing and maintaining realistic boundaries respectfully. Maintaining one's own capacity of mentalization, by means of peer consultation and feedback, can be very helpful in this respect.