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Screening for depression among dental patients in Benin city sub population of Nigeria

Introduction: Oral health has been significantly associated with the wellness of an individual which includes physical and psychological wellbeing. In the recent past due to various reasons, depression has been noted to be evident in population. The patients visiting dental clinics are of no exclusion to have experienced depression. Aim: to determine the prevalence of depression among dental outpatients in an secondary health facility in Benin City using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study mixed observational and clinical study using questionnaire and clinical oral examination was conducted among patients attending the dental outpatient clinic of Stella Obasanjo Hospital between December 2018 and January 2019. Results and Discussion: About one-quarter (28.6%) had depression of the mild severity. Depression was highest among the 31–40 years, females, those with primary education and those that earn less the 30,000 naira monthly and nonindigenous participants. Participants with mild depression presented more with acute apical periodontitis, dental caries, and periodontal disease than those without depression. Conclusion: Data from this study on screening for depression among patients attending a secondary facility revealed the low prevalence of depression which was mild in severity. Further studies on patients with symptomatic chronic dental condition are recommended.