Oral health promotion practices of Australian community mental health professionals: a cross sectional web-based survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study explored the oral health promotion practices of Australian community mental health professionals working with people living with severe mental illness (SMI). METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional web-based survey was distributed to all Community Rehabilitation and Support Workers (CRSWs) working at Neami National (n = 471), an Australian community mental health service. The validated questionnaire assessed participants' self-rated oral health knowledge and confidence (7 questions); their perceived barriers (9 questions) and attitudes (5 questions) to oral health promotion; and their oral health promotion practices (7 questions). Differences in responses between groups ..