Oral Health Status in Patients with Depression and Anxiety: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide and are increasingly recognized as conditions that adversely influence physical health, including oral health. Through behavioral changes, medication side effects, and lifestyle factors, these disorders may predispose individuals to poor oral hygiene, dental caries, and periodontal disease. Objective: To assess the oral health status of patients suffering from depression and anxiety. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 patients attending the Psychiatry Department of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat. Participants diagnosed with depression or anxiety were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Depression and anxiety severity were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales, respectively. Oral health was evaluated using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Gingival Index, and Periodontal Index. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and Student’s t-test. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.76 ± 9.47 years, with females comprising 57.76% of the sample. Strong positive correlations were observed between DMFT scores and depression (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) as well as anxiety (r = 0.97, p < 0.001). Gingival index and pocket depth were also significantly correlated with both depression and anxiety (p < 0.001). Oral health parameters deteriorated significantly with increasing severity of depression, whereas no significant differences were observed between moderate and severe anxiety groups. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are strongly associated with poor oral health outcomes. Integrating oral health assessment and preventive dental care into mental health services may improve overall health outcomes in this vulnerable population. Keywords: Anxiety, Cross-sectional study, Depression, DMFT, Gingival Index, Oral Health, Periodontal Index.