Why Dental Teams Must Screen for Mental Health and Substance Use Risk
As evidence links oral health with mental illness and substance use disorders, oral health professionals are uniquely positioned to screen for these serious health issues.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of applying the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment, or SBIRT, in the dental setting?
SBIRT is a public health framework designed for early detection and intervention. It includes screening, motivational-based brief intervention, and referral to treatment when necessary.
A Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 score of 10 to 14 generally indicates the need for which action?
A PHQ-9 score within this range suggests moderate depressive symptoms. Patients typically benefit from supportive counseling, education, and monitoring, with referral reserved for more severe scores.
A Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)-10 score of 9 to 10 indicates which recommended next step?
A DAST-10 score of 9 to 10 reflects a high level of drug use risk. At this threshold, SBIRT guidelines recommend referral for specialized treatment rather than simple monitoring or brief intervention.
