I recently attended the NAPP webinar Dental Health × Mental Health, presented by Dr Ava Carter, Australia’s only dual-qualified dental surgeon and psychiatrist. It was an exceptionally insightful and practical session that deepened my understanding of the powerful connections between dental health and mental health.
Dr Carter explored xerostomia (dry mouth) and its effects on both oral and psychological health. We also covered acid erosion, dietary influences, and the two-way relationship between breath odour, self-esteem, and mental health. The session reinforced how profoundly dental conditions can shape emotional well-being, highlighting the importance of recognising the interplay between dental health and mental health in clinical practice.
A particularly important reminder from the webinar was that dental health extends far beyond dentists alone. There is a whole spectrum of oral health professionals — oral health practitioners, hygienists, therapists, and other allied clinicians — many of whom offer services that are more accessible and often more affordable. They can provide routine check-ups, cleans, fillings, extractions, and a range of minor procedures. It reinforced the importance of checking what services are available, exploring public dental options, and utilising the full oral health workforce to support better outcomes in both dental health and mental health.
From a psychiatric perspective, the session covered tardive dyskinesia, the therapeutic use of Botox in psychiatry, and the significant psychological effects of an impaired or unhappy smile. We also examined key medication-related oral conditions, including valproate-associated gum hypertrophy and the mirror sign on the tongue — powerful reminders that oral assessments are a critical part of psychiatric care and central to understanding dental health and mental health together.
A strong theme was the cost–benefit argument: dental care is not cosmetic; it directly contributes to prevention, community health, better quality of life, and long-term healthcare savings. While models of integrated care vary around the world — and although Australia cannot “turn back time” in how its systems have developed — the message was clear: psychiatry must consider oral health, and oral health must consider psychiatric wellbeing. The relationship between dental health and mental health is inseparable in modern practice.
The webinar was proudly supported by Avive Health, whose focus on accessible, evidence-based mental healthcare made their sponsorship particularly fitting. Their commitment to improving holistic patient outcomes aligns closely with the principles discussed in the session, reinforcing the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to dental health and mental health.
Overall, this webinar highlighted the importance of connected care, the value of allied oral health professionals, and the real-world impact of dental health on mental health. It was an engaging and informative session that will influence how I approach both clinical conversations and patient care moving forward.
