Abstract
On the basis of mental health assessments at age 15, Study members were allocated to one of three mental disorder groups: (i) externalising disorder; (ii) internalising disorder; or (iii) no disorder. Dental caries prevalence (at age 18) and the increment between 15 and 18 were the dependent variables. Males with an externalising disorder had more untreated caries by age 18. Externalising disorders may increase the risk for oral ill-health through either (a) failure to seek care, or (b) poor self-care.