KARACHI: A team of third-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students from Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC), now Karachi Metropolitan University (KMU), has brought attention to one of the most overlooked yet clinically significant topics in dentistry—the close relationship between mental health and oral health—through an evidence-based table clinic that received appreciation from judges at Dentalnnovate 2026.
Presented at the Expo Centre, the project was showcased during Dentalnnovate 2026, a national dental scientific event organized by Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry (LCMD).
The table clinic, titled "The Mind-Mouth Connection: Exploring the Bidirectional Relationship Between Mental Health and Oral Health," highlighted how psychological well-being and oral health continuously influence each other, reinforcing the need for a more integrated approach to dental care.
According to the student presenters, the judges appreciated both the relevance of the topic and the way it was presented, recognizing its growing importance for modern dentistry and comprehensive patient care.
Looking beyond teeth: understanding the whole patient
While dentistry has traditionally focused on diagnosing and treating diseases of the oral cavity, the KMDC students argued that oral health cannot be separated from a patient's mental well-being.
Drawing on published scientific literature, their table clinic explained that oral health and mental health are interconnected through biological, behavioural and psychosocial pathways. Yet, despite increasing evidence, the two are often treated independently in routine healthcare.
The students emphasized that understanding this connection can help dentists provide more empathetic, patient-centred and holistic care.
How mental health affects oral health
The presentation explained that individuals living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and chronic stress often face challenges in maintaining good oral health.
Mental health conditions may reduce motivation for daily oral hygiene, increase unhealthy dietary habits, discourage regular dental visits and contribute to neglect of preventive care.
The team also highlighted that several psychotropic medications—including antidepressants, antipsychotics and anxiolytics—may increase the risk of oral complications such as:
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Dental caries
- Gingival overgrowth
- Increased susceptibility to oral disease
In addition, stress-related habits such as bruxism (teeth grinding), cheek chewing and nail biting can contribute to tooth wear, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and periodontal problems.
The relationship also works in reverse
One of the strongest messages delivered by the KMDC students was that the relationship between mental health and oral health is bidirectional.
Poor oral health itself can negatively affect psychological well-being.
The table clinic explained that untreated dental caries, missing teeth, malocclusion, halitosis and chronic oral pain can lower self-confidence, affect speech and appearance, reduce social interaction and increase feelings of anxiety, depression and social isolation.
Visible oral disease may also expose individuals to stigma or embarrassment, discouraging them from seeking timely dental care and creating a cycle that further worsens both oral and mental health.
A message for future dentists
The students said the primary objective of their project was to raise awareness about the close relationship between mental health and dental health and encourage future dentists to consider psychological factors during patient assessment and treatment planning.
Their key message was simple yet powerful:
Mental health and oral health are equally important and should never be viewed in isolation.
The team also emphasized that maintaining good oral health may positively influence mental well-being, while better mental health enables individuals to adopt healthier oral hygiene habits and seek regular dental care.
Promoting collaborative healthcare
To help break the cycle between psychological disorders and oral disease, the students advocated for greater collaboration between dental professionals and mental health specialists.
Their presentation recommended:
- Routine psychological screening where appropriate in dental practice.
- Oral health assessments for individuals receiving psychiatric care.
- Greater interdisciplinary collaboration.
- More emphasis on holistic and compassionate patient management in dental education.
According to the team, such integrated care can improve early diagnosis, treatment adherence, patient satisfaction and overall quality of life.
Evidence-backed scientific work
The scientific content of the table clinic was supported by contemporary published research, including work by Alice Kit Ying Chan, Joanna Cheuk Yan Hui, Lindsey Lingxi Hu and Chun Hung Chu from the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, examining the relationship between oral health and mental health in clinical practice.
By presenting the topic in an accessible format, the students aimed to encourage fellow dental students and practitioners to recognize psychological manifestations in oral health and appreciate the importance of treating patients—not just diseases.
The table clinic was presented by Omama Athar, Faiza Baig and Syeda Safia Khalid, all third-year BDS students of Karachi Medical and Dental College (now Karachi Metropolitan University).
Their presentation reflected a growing emphasis within dental education on evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary healthcare and patient-centred dentistry—an approach increasingly recognized as essential for improving both oral and overall health outcomes.
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