The role of the general dental practitioner in managing patients who self-harm.
There has been a reported increase in the incidence of self-harm within the United Kingdom. This is of great concern, as a number of studies have shown self-harm to be a major risk factor to completed suicide. However, the identification of self-harm provides an opportunity for support and treatment. Mental health is an area that often receives little attention in the undergraduate dental curriculum. Yet dental practitioners, as healthcare professionals, need to be vigilant for any risk factors or signs of mental illness among their patients and make appropriate onward referrals. The purpose of this article is to examine the current evidence and aspects of self-harm, particularly in young adults and adolescents that are relevant within a dental settling.
Good Hope Hospital, Heart of England NHS Trust, Sutton Coldfield.
K S
KS
Achal
UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital and North Middlesex University Hospital, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust.
J
J
Shute
Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital and UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London.
D S
DS
Gill
UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital, 256 Grays Inn Road, London.
J M
JM
Collins
D003479:Curriculum; D003815:Dentists; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D024382:Professional Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology