Director, Graduate Dental Hygiene Program University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Danielle Rulli, DHSc, MS, RDH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Persons living with significant mental health disorders are a vulnerable population that suffers significant oral health disparities. This population is more than three times likely to lose all their teeth than the general population. Xerostomia from psychotropic medications, avolition, concurrent substance use, low oral health literacy, and socio-ecological factors contribute to oral health disparities. Further exacerbating these disparities is a negative feedback loop of fear, stigma, and avoidance of oral health care. An innovative approach to reducing oral health disparities in this population is using certified, frontline community health workers who meet this vulnerable population where they are and share the lived experiences of severe mental health diagnoses. This roundtable session will discuss a unique initiative that addresses the concept of no mental health without oral health by leveraging certified peer support specialists to deliver motivational, scope-appropriate oral health interventions and connect clients to oral health care.
