109 Oral Health Interventions in Patients with a Mental Health Disorder concerning patients’ oral health and mental health nurses were scarcely involved in actively promoting better oral health [28]. In their daily care for patients, it is essential that nurses take oral health care in patients into account. Studies show the importance of training nurses in promoting better oral health, although this study also confirms our concern about the participation of mental health nurses in oral health. These concerns about the involvement of mental health professionals are in line with literature that states that mental health professionals do not routinely practice oral care [65]. The question arises if mental health nurses have sufficient knowledge about oral health care. The attitude of nurses towards personal health shows that nurses prioritise symptoms of mental health illnesses instead of risk factors and consequences. Adams et al. [45] advises further research to understand the barriers for mental health nurses to manage oral health needs of patients. Adams et al. [45] found a lack of research culture and a high turnover rate within teams and that the initial enthusiasm for the RTC could not be sustained. One of the reasons for failure is the lack of ownership in study and design within service-users and clinicians who designed the study, due to the top-down changes in the team. Therefore, it is important to facilitate one or two nurses (or nurse practitioners) with the task of care-coordinator with special attention for oral health. To date, studies have not taken this into account. Further studies regarding mental health nurses should consider mental health nurses’ attitude and barriers towards oral health care. Study Strengths and Methodological Considerations This scoping review has some methodological considerations worth noting and provides information for future nursing research regarding oral health care and interventions in patients with a mental health disorder. This study is strengthened by the assessment of the study quality of included studies, which was not necessary because this was a scoping review [66]. The belief was that it was important to prevent the drawing of conclusions based on potential bias, and that a critical appraisal was legitimised. Moreover, this study is strengthened by reducing potential bias through calculating the inter-rater reliability and the involvement of two reviewers in the selection process. 4
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