Abstract
Our study aimed to explore the views and experiences in oral health and oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of persons with schizophrenia (PWS) in order to expand the understanding of the factors that either limit or facilitate their healthcare pathway, which can ultimately optimize their oral health and/or OHRQoL. A qualitative study was conducted in France in the Côte d'Or department (530 000 in habitants) centered on PWS's perceived meanings regarding oral health or OHRQoL, and semi-structured individual interviews were used. A conventional content analysis approach was chosen in order to highlight unrevealed themes. A sample of 20 PWS (12 males; 8 females) with a median age was 45.8 (± 9.5) were recruited to assess views and experiences regarding OHRQoL, which were focused on three dimensions: an individual dimension related to experience of "oral symptoms", a second dimension related to experience of "stress and its management", and a third related to "Autonomy dimension in oral health". We showed that PWS clearly expressed their mental representations of oral health and OHRQoL. This study supports that PWS were able to define their needs and had the ability to discuss their oral health and OHRQoL. These finding could be used to support specific interventions for this population to better manage the negative impact of antipsychotics and help them to consult dentists on a regular basis.
Highlights
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.[1]
The content analysis of the interviews permitted to highlight three dimensions concerning views and experiences in oral health and oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of People with schizophrenia (PWS)’s: an individual dimension related to experience of oral symptoms, a second dimension related to experience of stress and its management, and a third related to “Autonomy in oral health”
Our findings confirmed that even individuals with cognitive impairment are able to define their needs and that PWS have the ability to discuss their oral health and OHRQoL conditions, despite the fact that this ability is an issue of debate in the psychiatric community.[28]
Summary
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.[1]. Fear of mental illness, difficult access to private practice, and the high cost of dental care are additional barriers that contribute to poor oral health and OHRQoL.[9] Oral health programs, presenting statistically significant results, have little clinical impact on oral health.[10] Khokhar et al.[11] studied schizophrenics and found no study with a sufficiently high level of proof to support current practices in oral health education for PWS In this context, further studies are needed to improve the management of their oral health and OHRQoL, potentially with the use of specific prevention and education programs.
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