39: Wanda Wright on Oral Health Among Persons With Mental Illness

Psychiatric Services From Pages to Practice

Wanda G. Wright, D.D.S., M.S.D., joins Dr. Dixon and Dr. Berezin to explore barriers and facilitators in addressing the oral health needs of individuals with mental illness from the perspectives of patients, psychiatrists, and dentists.

Dr. Wright is affiliated with the School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University, where she is Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Assistant Professor; and Division Director of Dental Public Health.

• Introduction to the field of dental public health [1:39]
• Issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in dentistry and dental health [2:50]
• How Dr. Wright became interested in this area, and the type of collaboration that is involved [4:44]
• Details of the research [6:40]
• Did any results from the research stand out to Dr. Wright? [10:26]
• Key findings of the research [11:58]
• Description of public sector funding for dental services [12:44]
• Examples of integrated dental and mental health clinics, training, and hospital care [14:57]
• Discussion of stigma [19:18]
• Challenges around referring patients for dental care and around access [21:10]
• The one policy Dr. Wright would change, and what mental health providers should know about oral health in general [23:19]
• The next phase of this research [26:12]

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