Psychosomatics and dentistry

Abstract

The psychosomatic concept in dentistry has been approached two-fold manner: a) the interrelationship of psychological factors and dental problems as reflected in the literature has been discussed, confirming the hypothesis that psychosomatic dentistry should be acknowledged by the dental profession as integral part of the dental school curriculum; b) a second hypothesis, namely a possible correlation between dental decay and psychopathology has been tested as follows: 70 institutionalized mentally ill patients, 25 males and 45 females, were administered the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), ICL (Interpersonal Check List), and the following indices were determined: Russell's periodontal classification, the DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth) and the DMFS (Decayed, Missing and Filled Surfaces). Findings show the average number of teeth and tooth surfaces affected, using the DMFT and DMFS were found to be more for the institutionalized mentally ill than for the average non-institutionalized person. Findings also show that while the ICL did not correlate with the dental scores, some of the MMPI scores did. The MMPI, considered by psychologists a much more subtle instrument than the Interpersonal Check List, did yield some positive results in this study, thus supporting to some degree the hypothesis that there is a relationship between dental decay and psychopathology.