Drug induced xerostomia is an ever-increasing challenge for the general dentist to treat and manage as patients often depend on these drugs, which can wreak havoc on their oral health, in order to survive. Drug addiction and severe mental illness (SMI) can often lead to severe neglect of self-care, including diminished oral hygienic practices. Medically complex patients, particularly adults, face hardship in finding affordable, consistent dental care that caters to their particular needs. Patients who suffer from schizophrenia have higher DMFT scores and poorer overall oral health than the general population. (1,3,4) They are often marginalized because of their illness, largely due to fear, stigma, misconception and bias by society. (1,2) If there are any additional barriers to treatment (i.e. financial, transportation, access, dental fear, imbalance of mental health status, etc.), treatment is at an increased risk of being delayed, aborted, or never initiated. (3) All of these issues can lead to situations where caries control becomes the crucial first step in a comprehensive dental treatment plan where time is of the essence. Training and developing dental students into practitioners who can recognize the challenges faced by their patients and gaining experience in treatment planning and restorative options plays a crucial part to increase availability of dental care to this patient group. The present report details use of SDF (silver diamide fluoride) as an integral tool to slow the carious process in our efforts to render dental care to a patient of record at the University of Texas School of Dentistry’s Special Patient Clinic.

Keywords: SDF, schizophrenia, Special Patients Clinic