The Mouth Matters in Mental Health Trial -2

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a link work intervention to facilitate dental attendance in people with severe mental illness. Methods: An effectiveness randomised-controlled trial with integrated cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation. 480 participants will be recruited from five NHS Trusts and randomised (ratio 1:1) to either treatment as usual or treatment as usual plus the link work intervention. The link work intervention will follow the manual co-developed and used in the feasibility trial. Blind research assistants will support participants to complete assessments at baseline and after nine-months. The investigators will obtain consent to access participant's dental visiting data via the Business Services Authority. The primary outcomes are i) attendance at a routine dental appointment, and ii) oral health related quality of life. Health economics analysis will assess whether the intervention is cost-effective. A qualitative process evaluation will help to understand how it works and might be implemented. Results/conclusions: This research hopes to produce the first evidenced-based intervention for improving the oral health of people with severe mental illness. It could help to overcome inequities in dental access.