People with severe and chronic mental disorders, as schizophrenia, may have a poor dental health, with a high incidence of advanced dental disease compared with the general population. There are several possible causes, including the impaired ability to plan and perform oral hygiene procedures, adverse effects of psychiatric drugs (dry mouth), bad dietary habits or limited access to treatment because of lack of financial resources or other causes. Mental health professionals frequently neglect the importance of a good oral health, and dental care, treatment and prevention strategies are not usually included in care and rehabilitation plans.

The aim of the present study is to examine the dental health status of a sample of community, not hospitalized people with severe and chronic mental disorder, and at least two year of pharmacologic treatment.