Exploring the link between schizophrenia and periodontal disease: a systematic review

Vintha, Jaswitha; Meghana, Gangolu; Boyapati, Ramanarayana; Dhulipalla, Ravindranath; KOLAPARTHY, LAKSHMI KANTH K

doi:10.21608/bmfj.2025.402139.2527

Exploring the link between schizophrenia and periodontal disease: a systematic review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ Takellapadu

² assistant professor, sibar dental college, takkellapadu, guntur.

³ Dr.Boyapati Ramanarayana, BDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Periodontology, Sibar Institute of Dental Sciences, Takkellapadu, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

⁴ Sibar institute of dental sciences

⁵ Department of Periodontology Sibar institute of dental sciences India

10.21608/bmfj.2025.402139.2527

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder often associated with compromised self-care and health outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests a link between schizophrenia and poor oral health, particularly periodontal disease. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between schizophrenia and periodontal health by analyzing clinical outcomes in affected individuals. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases using relevant MeSH terms. The search focused on studies published within the last 15 years. Inclusion criteria targeted randomized clinical trials assessing periodontal health in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. After screening and applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven eligible studies were selected. Data extraction was performed using a standardized grid to ensure consistency. The analysis of the selected studies revealed that individuals with schizophrenia consistently exhibit poorer periodontal health compared to the general population. Key contributing factors include medication-induced xerostomia, neglect of oral hygiene, cognitive impairment, and behavioral challenges. Common periodontal parameters such as plaque index, gingival bleeding, and probing depth were significantly worse in the schizophrenia group across studies. This review highlights a clear association between schizophrenia and increased risk of periodontal disease. The findings underscore the importance of integrating dental care into the overall health management of individuals with schizophrenia. Routine periodontal assessments, tailored oral hygiene education, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for improving oral health outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Keywords