This research report explores rehabilitative dental treatment provided to a small group of Māori mental health patients within the Western Bay of Plenty and how this contributes to improved mental health functioning, oral health and quality of life.
Prior to receiving the dental health care provided in the study, all participants reported episodes of dental problems (such as pain or toothache), having sought only emergency care in the past, and having unmet dental treatment needs.
The researchers found that following oral rehabilitation, participants reported a positive improvement in their psycho-social well-being, oral function, self-esteem, relationships, and dynamics within their immediate social environment.
This publication is available on the University of Otago website
Purpose
This study, in the main, was a qualitative research project in which the thoughts, experiences, attitudes and behaviours of a sample of Māori mental health patients were elicited, both before and after receiving a complete course of dental care.
Methodology
This study was a qualitative research project in which the thoughts, experiences, attitudes and behaviours of a sample of Māori mental health patients based within Tauranga Moana were elicited, both before and after receiving a complete course of dental care. Following recruitment, tangata whaiora underwent a mental health interview by a Māori psychiatrist, followed by a dental health interview by Māori oral health professionals. They then underwent a course of oral rehabilitation. After the completion of their dental treatment, participants were re-interviewed to ascertain the impact on their health and wellbeing of having a restored dentition.
Key Results
The findings indicated that, prior to treatment, all participants reported episodes of dental problems such as pain and toothache, infection and bad breath. Some participants had suffered from toothache for considerable periods of time before seeking dental care, if at all. All participants reported seeking only emergency dental care as an adult. All had unmet dental treatment needs such as dental caries, failed restorations, retained roots, periodontal disease, edentulous spaces or edentulousness with no dentures. Most participants reported that their oral health did impact upon their tinana, hinengaro, whānau and wairua in various ways and to various extents.
After oral rehabilitation, most participants reported a positive improvement in their psycho-social well-being, oral function, self-esteem, relationships and dynamics within their immediate social environment. There was a major improvement in the oral–health-related quality of life of the participants, as indicated by the pre- and post- Oral Health Impact Profile data. A number of participants stated that they would in future take a more responsible approach to their own oral health care and to that of their whānau as well.