Study On Mental Status And Its Determinants Among Outpatients With Oral Disease In Certain Oral Hospital

RESEARCH BACKGROUNDPoor oral hygiene and endemic oral pathologies exist in many areas and it has garner attention from several nations and it was recognized as a top area of concern by World Health Organization. As social economic status and living standard improves, society as a whole recognize the importance of oral health and demand better access to oral health care system. Optimal oral hygiene not only improves over all patient health, it is also an important marker for an advanced society and nation.Stomatological pathologies not only affect oral condition, but it also affect patient's overall health status. Pain associated with stomatological pathology will induce anxiety, stress and other generalized disabilities. Condition such as anodontia and discoloration of dentition can often associate with decrease in patient's confidence and degraded self image. Missing dentition has a negative effect on patient's ability to pronounce and communicate clearly. Missing anterior dentition will also change patient's facial appearance and lead to compromise in self image and further damage patient's psychological well been. Stained and discolored anterior dentition often result in generalize social distress and has a profound negative social effects. Psychological barrier can also result in decrease oral hygiene status. Conditions such as Dental Anxiety; DA or Dental Fear; DF, cause patients to avoid seeking dental care and result in high occurrence of dental pathologies and worsen oral hygiene.As the medical care delivery model evolved, psychological factors in oral pathological process has garnered more and more attention. Focusing on dental patient's psychological well been and it's effects will improve treatment outcome, patient oral hygiene status and increase patient satisfaction.OBJECTIVESThrough surveying and analyzing dental patients' psychological health status and identify significant factors, timely and effective interventions can be implemented to decrease patient's dental fear, anxiety and stress. This will further reduce disease causing factors, improve patient oral hygiene status, and better treatment outcomes.METHODOLOGY1.The sample was randomly chosen by based sampling method.456 patients were randomly selected from general patient population,who attended stomatological clinic from September 1st to October 31st 2009.2. Using standard clinical questionnaires and Kessler10; K10 form, to obtain patient's commom condition family condition disease condition and psychological status.3. Using EXCEL to input the collected data first. And using SPSS 16.0 software to analysis and interpret collected data.Divide scores obtained from Kessler form K10 into four groups. Analyze statistical variables using ANOVA and R x C chart. Multiple factors analysis was performed by using Logistic regression analysis, calculated OR value and OR value to 95% confidence.MAIN RESULTS1.In this survey a high percentage of patient has been identified with compromised mental health status. Average K10 scores are consider to be high. In 456 patient sampled,54.2% has a score less than 15,45.8% more than 15. Average K10 score equal to 16.05±5.331.2.Single factor analysis shows that patients,who are 56 years old or older, have better psychological out look than any other age groups. Patients who considered themselves with an "exciting life" score better than patients who describe themselves as been "boring". Patients with greater work related pressures fair worse than patient with less work related pressures. Disease condition also effect patient's psychological status. Patients with mucosa related pathologies fair worse than patients with non-mucosa related conditions. Patients with less severe disease have better outlook than patients with severe disease. Patients who reside in urban areas have better psychological status than patients from the rural areas.3. Multiple factors analysis shown that attitude toward life, work pressures, economic pressures are the most significant factors that affect patient's psychological status.RECOMMENDATIONSHealth care worker need to focus on patient centric care delivery model. Treat patient from a humanitarian point of view. Be patient, compassionate and empathetic to patient's need and conditions. Decrease patient's fear and anxiety related to the disease process and treatments by building a mutual trust between patients and physicians. Enhance patient's health education. Emphasize oral hygiene care in relation to overall patient's health. Improve medical techniques and reduce unnecessary discomforts.