214 Chapter 6 For patients with psychotic vulnerability, stigma plays a significant role. They fear negative judgments from others regarding their oral health, leading to continued social avoidance. They experience reduced self-esteem due to poor oral health, which affects how they see themselves and how they expect others to perceive them. To mitigate the effects of poor oral health in social situations, patients often conceal their oral health to avoid embarrassment or shame. Another phenomenon in patients with mental health vulnerability is “diagnostic overshadowing” by healthcare providers, where physical problems are overshadowed by mental health conditions. This results in patients not receiving adequate or appropriate somatic care, further reinforcing self-stigmatization. This underscores the need for a holistic approach to oral care for patients with mental health vulnerability, making it an important responsibility for nurses. Ensure that you stay connected and discuss these matters together. Physical Complaints Oral health impacts overall health and should be examined in the same way as other physical health issues. An unhealthy mouth, especially if someone has gum disease, can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. The mouth provides indications of what is happening in the rest of the body and offers insights into early signs and symptoms of systemic disease (illness that affects or touches the entire body, not just a specific part). Systemic conditions like diabetes often first become apparent through damage to the gums or other oral issues. Patients with psychotic vulnerability often have more complaints and experience a lower quality of life. Since many dental conditions, such as periodontitis, cavities, and tooth erosion, often stem from dietary habits and smoking, this leads to a higher prevalence of dental disease in this population. Furthermore, psychotic vulnerability, especially as it becomes more severe, leads to a decline in self-care, and oral health often has lower priority.
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