A Qualitative Study on the Knowledge and Opinions of Outpatient Schizophrenia Patients Regarding Oral and Dental Health, Brushing Habits, Dental Anxiety, and Dental Treatments

Background Oral health is a crucial but often neglected component of general health in individuals with schizophrenia. Cognitive impairment, medication side effects, poor motivation, and limited access to care contribute to inadequate oral hygiene and untreated dental problems in this population. This study aimed to explore, through a qualitative approach, the knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of outpatients with schizophrenia regarding oral and dental health, brushing habits, dental anxiety, and dental treatments. Methods This qualitative study was conducted at the Community Mental Health Center of Ege University Faculty of Medicine. Thirty adult outpatients with schizophrenia were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured, face-to-face interviews lasting 7–25 minutes, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic and descriptive analyses were performed inductively. Four main themes emerged: knowledge and awareness of oral health, brushing habits, dental anxiety, and attitudes toward dental treatment. Results Participants’ awareness of oral and dental health was generally low. Most had never received oral health education and attributed dental problems to hereditary or psychological factors rather than preventive behaviors. Only two participants reported regular toothbrushing, and floss use was rare. Dental anxiety was common, mainly due to past painful experiences, fear of extractions, or environmental triggers such as sounds and odors in clinics. Although most participants recognized the importance of oral hygiene, barriers such as forgetfulness, low motivation, and dry mouth limited regular care. Access to dental services was often hindered by long waiting times in public hospitals, and participants primarily relied on family, friends, or social media for oral health information rather than professionals. Conclusions Outpatients with schizophrenia demonstrated limited knowledge, irregular oral care routines, and substantial dental anxiety, highlighting the need for targeted and holistic oral health education programs. Integrating structured reminder systems and simplified educational tools into psychiatric care may help sustain behavioral changes. Improved service accessibility and enhanced dentist–patient communication are essential to promote oral health equity in this vulnerable group. Trial registration This study was approved by the Ege University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (12/04, 01.09.2025)