People with serious mental illness (SMI) experience substantial oral health inequalities that may adversely affect oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). This scoping review mapped evidence on OHRQoL among adults with SMI and related psychiatric populations, examined associated factors, and identified evidence gaps. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR, six electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed primary studies published from January 2000 through April 2026. Evidence was classified as: (1) SMI populations; (2) other clinically diagnosed psychiatric populations; or (3) symptom-defined/community populations identified using validated screening instruments. A total of 1,586 records were identified, with 22 publications representing 21 unique study populations included: nine SMI, six other clinically diagnosed psychiatric, and six symptom-defined/community populations. Most studies were observational and cross-sectional. In SMI populations, poorer OHRQoL was associated with oral disease and treatment needs, xerostomia, psychiatric and psychosocial factors, and barriers to dental care. Poorer OHRQoL was also associated with mental health burden in other psychiatric and community populations. Studies were heterogeneous in psychiatric ascertainment, design, and OHRQoL measurement. No study evaluated an intervention specifically targeting OHRQoL in people with SMI. People living with SMI experience substantial OHRQoL burden involving functional, psychological, and social dimensions. Clearer definition of psychiatric populations and longitudinal, qualitative, and intervention research are needed, particularly to evaluate whether integrated and person-centered oral health strategies can improve OHRQoL among people with SMI.
To evaluate the association between tooth wear severity and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Mexican adults attending university dental clinics. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 338 adults aged ≥35 years treated at eight peripheral dental clinics of the Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico. OHRQoL was assessed using the OHIP-Mx-49, and tooth wear severity using an adapted approach based on the Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index (TWI). Caries experience, malocclusion, temporomandibular disorders, periodontal disease, and dentin hypersensitivity were also assessed. Bivariate analysis used nonparametric tests and multivariate analysis used negative binomial regression. Mean age was 50.35 ± 10.8 years; 66.9% were female. Tooth wear was mild in 26.9%, moderate in 55.0%, and severe in 18.1%. Mean OHIP-Mx-49 score was 46.70 ± 32.99. In adjusted analysis, moderate (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.82–1.12) and severe (RR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.73–1.13) tooth wear were not significantly associated with OHIP-Mx-49 scores. Caries experience, temporomandibular disorders, and dentin hypersensitivity were independently associated with impaired OHRQoL. Tooth wear severity was not statistically significantly associated with OHRQoL after adjustment for clinical and sociodemographic factors. As all participants had tooth wear, findings concern differences in severity within this sample and do not permit comparisons with adults without tooth wear.
To assess whether maternal schooling modifies the association between race/skin color and severe untreated dental caries among 5-year-old Brazilian children and whether the pattern extends to untreated dental caries. Cross-sectional analysis of the nationally representative SB Brasil 2023 survey. Children aged 5 years with complete information on race/skin color, maternal schooling, sex and pufa status (n = 6462). Clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (pufa ≥ 1) were the primary outcome; untreated dental caries was examined in a sensitivity analysis. Race/skin color was categorized as white or non-white and maternal schooling as low or high. Survey-weighted logistic regression adjusted for child sex, and RERI assessed additive interaction. The prevalence of pufa ≥ 1 was highest among non-white children with low maternal schooling and lowest among white children with high maternal schooling. Compared with non-white children with low maternal schooling, white children with high maternal schooling had lower odds of pufa ≥ 1 (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.24–0.38). The RERI estimate suggested positive additive interaction for pufa ≥ 1, although the confidence interval included the null value (RERI = 0.13; 95% CI: −0.05 to 0.31). Untreated dental caries followed the same pattern (RERI = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.02–0.28). Race/skin color and maternal schooling were jointly associated with severe untreated dental caries among Brazilian preschool children. This pattern was observed for untreated dental caries, indicating broader unmet treatment needs among socially disadvantaged children.
Oral health is increasingly recognized as a key component of general health; however, non-dental healthcare professionals often lack the knowledge and confidence required to address it. This study aimed to compare oral health knowledge, perceptions, and diagnostic confidence among non-dental healthcare professionals in Chile and Spain.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals in both countries using a culturally adapted and validated questionnaire. The survey assessed training, perceived importance of oral health, self-reported confidence, and diagnostic ability through clinical scenarios. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and t-tests, and linear regression analyses were performed. A total of 420 participants were included (Spain: 212; Chile: 208), of whom 58.8% were physicians. While most participants (93.1%) recognized the importance of oral health assessments, the majority reported low confidence in diagnosis (76.7%) and management (84.1%). Prior training was limited, particularly in Spain (0.5% vs. 48.1% in Chile; p<0.001). Chilean participants achieved higher diagnostic scores than Spanish participants (3.30 vs. 2.50; p<0.001), and physicians outperformed nurses and other professionals (3.12 vs. 2.60; p<0.001). Recognition was high for aphthous ulcer (95.5%) but substantially lower for conditions such as stomatitis (31.7%) and xerostomia (50.7%). Most participants (94.8%) reported a need for additional training. Non-dental healthcare professionals demonstrate substantial gaps in oral health knowledge and confidence despite recognizing its importance. Strengthening undergraduate and postgraduate education, alongside structured interprofessional collaboration, is essential to improve early detection, referral, and comprehensive care, particularly in aging populations with an increasing burden of oral disease.
