Background: Mental health disorders pose a significant public health challenge in the USA. Early detection through screening can improve quality of life by facilitating timely access to mental health resources. Dental practices, which often have continuity of care with their patients and routinely conduct medical screenings, represent an underutilized setting for mental health screening.
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of mental health screening and follow-up procedures within dental practice workflows by assessing patient experiences and perceptions using the RE-AIM and Implementation Outcomes Framework (IOF) approaches.
Methods: The study included five private dental practices from the South Central region of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Dental office personnel were trained to administer mental health screenings to eligible adult patients during routine visits. Participants completed validated screening instruments for depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), substance use (CAGE-AID), and suicide risk (C-SSRS). Dental Personnel adhered to the screening and follow-up procedures. Positive screenings prompted a follow-up conversation and an information sheet that included local mental health resources. We calculated the RE-AIM components of Reach and Adoption and evaluated the IOF components of patient acceptability and appropriateness using postvisit survey items and open-ended questions.
Results: The study achieved a 75% reach rate, with 36 of 48 approached subjects participating. There was also a high adoption rate, with all 5 dental practices and 94% of dental office personnel participating in the intervention. Overall, participants generally found the zacceptable and appropriate. Participants who screened positive reported slightly lower comfort and appropriateness levels.
Conclusions: Patients consider implementing mental health screening and follow-up in dental practices appropriate and acceptable. Dental practice settings offer a promising venue for early detection of mental health concerns, potentially enhancing access to care and improving overall health outcomes.
Keywords: anxiety; depression; mental health; screenings.
Mental health challenges affect a significant portion of the population, with many individuals not receiving the care they need. To address this gap, a study explored whether dental practices—a common point of contact for many adults—could serve as a venue for mental health screenings. This research involved five dental offices in the South-Central USA, where patients were screened for conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide risk using brief questionnaires. If patients screened positive, they were provided with local mental health resources for follow-up. The study found that most patients and dental staff were willing to participate in the screenings. Over three-quarters of eligible patients agreed to be screened, and nearly all dental office staff supported the process. Patients found the screenings easy and appreciated the holistic approach to healthcare, which linked mental and oral health. Those who screened positive reported slightly lower comfort levels during follow-up discussions, highlighting the need for sensitive handling of such conversations. The research demonstrated that mental health screening in dental settings is both acceptable and beneficial. It could improve access to care by identifying mental health concerns early in a familiar and trusted healthcare setting. These findings suggest that integrating mental health screening into dental practices may help bridge the gap in mental health care access, although further research is needed to refine the process and ensure it is sustainable across various settings.
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