Author(s)

Victoria Stewart, Bonnie Clough, Caroline Robertson, Tan Nguyen, Santosh Tadakmadla, Steve Kisely, Amanda J Wheeler

Affiliations

Griffith University, University of Queensland, LaTrobe University, Deakin University

Introduction

Poor oral health is a significant but overlooked issue among people with serious mental ill-health (SMI), contributing to increased hospital admissions and reduced quality of life. Although largely preventable, oral health remains absent from Australian mental health policy and service delivery. Working with young people (YSMI) offers key opportunities to support lifelong oral health. Targeted oral health promotion strategies can support effective self-care routines and timely access to professional dental healthcare.

Method

In this presentation, we report on a mixed-methods project exploring systemic and lived experience perspectives on oral healthcare for people with SMI. We reviewed how oral health is represented in Australian oral and mental health policies and national health research funding schemes. We also conducted a focus group with YSMI (n=11) and qualitative interviews (n=25) with people with lived experience of SMI, carers, peer support workers, GPs, and dental and mental health practitioners to explore how oral healthcare is prioritised and barriers to access.

Results & findings

Policy analysis revealed oral health is rarely prioritised in mental health frameworks and received only 0.22% of health research funding. Participants described their oral health as neglected, citing financial, psychological, and systemic barriers to care. Key strategies for improvement included trauma-informed, holistic care models, cross-sector training to build oral and mental health literacy, and youth-friendly resources to reduce dental fear. Trusted relationships and co-designed interventions were identified as essential for engagement.

Discussion

Although preventable, oral disease remains neglected in mental healthcare. Addressing this gap requires prioritising oral health in mental health assessments, education, and policy to ensure integrated, equitable care. Co-produced, interdisciplinary approaches that address social determinants and promote equitable access are urgently needed to improve outcomes and uphold the physical health rights of people living with SMI.