Dental care in psychiatric hospitals in The Netherlands.

This study determined the method of organization of dental care in psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands, investigated patients' dental problems, and examined hospital nurses' role in prevention and diagnosis of dental problems. A bad oral condition, bad oral hygiene, and badly fitting dentures were the problems most frequently noticed. If the patients neglected brushing their teeth, 70% of the nurses interviewed never took over, 20% sometimes did, and 8% always did. It was concluded that, although most psychiatric hospitals had their own dental clinic or alternative dental facilities, adequate dental care had not yet been realized everywhere. The role of the nursing staff in preventing and diagnosing dental disease can further be strengthened.