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Nature and extent of dental pathology and complications arising in patients receiving ECT

Birmingham Dental Hospital and School, Birmingham;

Peter Bentham, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry^*

The Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2QZ

^* Correspondence

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of dental pathology in patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy and to prospectively determine the incidence of dental complications arising during treatment. Of 30 subjects, 93% complained of a dry mouth and 83% were taking drugs with anticholinergic properties. A third wore dentures and the dentate population had a mean of 15 decayed, missing or filled teeth. Oral hygiene and periodontal condition was poor with one-third requiring scaling and 30% complex periodontal treatment. Temporomandibular pain followed 44% of treatments, and minor buccal lesions occurred in 22%. Greater emphasis must be placed on dental care, and guidelines are suggested to improve practice.