Letters to the Editor

Following the positive response to the Dental Update series: ‘Why does patient mental health matter?’, we felt readers might also be interested in our recent ‘Right to Smile’ consensus statement, which has been endorsed by several national and international dental and mental health organizations.¹

Importantly, this statement sets out 5-year targets for whole-person care to improve oral health in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Over the next 5 years, any person experiencing severe mental ill health should expect their risk of poor oral health to be reduced by more effective whole-person care.

This will require a joined-up approach involving dental teams. Key targets that readers may wish to consider and incorporate in dental management of people with SMI are as follows:

This target is currently being implemented nationally and locally via primary care and mental health teams. Readers who are working in dental practice may receive contact from these teams requesting dental access for patients with SMI.