Assessment of Periodontal Health Status in Patients of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder in Kashmir

Abstract Background: Mental illnesses impact general behavior and functioning, and such patients require special attention as they are often neglected because of stigma, fear, and associated negative attitude. Aim: This study aimed to assess periodontal health in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder in Kashmir. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 100 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition criteria. Oral hygiene was assessed using a mouth mirror and No. 23 explorer, following the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI) by Green and Vermilion. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, and probing depths were recorded using a William’s probe at four sites per tooth. Results: Among 100 patients (61 bipolar, 39 schizophrenia; mean age 34 ± 6.4 years; male-to-female ratio 2.7:1), schizophrenia patients had significantly deeper periodontal pockets (3.73 ± 0.69 mm vs. 3.39 ± 0.64 mm; P < 0.001), while bipolar patients had higher decayed, missing, and filled teeth score (8.9 ± 3.4 vs. 6.2 ± 2.8; P < 0.01). Moderate-to-severe periodontal involvement (community periodontal index score ≥3) was more common in bipolar disorder (67% vs. 41%; P = 0.02). The OHI-simplified scores were slightly higher in schizophrenia (3.83 ± 0.65) versus bipolar (3.41 ± 0.59; P = 0.066). Illness duration and antipsychotic type correlated positively with poor indices; higher brushing frequency correlated negatively. Conclusions: Both groups had poor periodontal health. Schizophrenia was linked to deeper pockets and worse hygiene, while bipolar disorder showed higher caries rates. Illness duration, medication, and hygiene habits influenced outcomes.