Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a group of adult patients seeking general dental care.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adult patients seeking general dental care because their presence can have a significant impact on how these patients should be managed.

METHOD AND MATERIALS: Medical history questionnaires from 442 randomly selected patients who presented for examination at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry were reviewed for a positive history of psychiatric conditions, whether they were being treated for their condition, and what medications were prescribed.

RESULTS

Twenty percent of the patients had a positive history of a psychiatric disorder. The most common disorder for both sexes was depression. Other disorders included anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, claustrophobia, attention deficit disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and schizophrenia. More than one disorder was reported by 50% of men and 37% of women, the most common combination being depression and anxiety. Seventy-seven percent of women and 69% of men were under active treatment. Commonly prescribed medications, which can have important adverse effects, included selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, lithium, and tricyclic antidepressants. Twenty patients reported taking more than one medication for their disorder.

CONCLUSION

A significant number of dental patients have a psychiatric disorder. Because such disorders can affect the patient's response to dental treatment and require treatment modifications, and the adverse effects of the medications being used can alter the oral environment, clinicians need to be aware of their presence and the proper way to manage these patients.