Newsletter
BOSTON, USA: Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities have special dental needs. Yet, only limited data about the results of dental treatment is available for this group. Now, researchers have found that, although cavity rates decreased among patients who received regular comprehensive dental care, significant oral health problems remained, even among patients under routine maintenance.
In order to evaluate how dental outcomes changed over time among patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine reviewed the dental records of 107 individuals who were treated at a Tufts Dental Facilities (TDF) clinic serving people with special needs for an average duration of 12 years. The team looked for data regarding caries, periodontitis and dental hygiene in particular.
They observed that caries rates decreased significantly over the course of treatment. At baseline, the rate was greater than 60 percent, while it was lower than 40 percent at subsequent visits. However, the results for other outcomes were not statistically significant. With regard to periodontitis, the researchers even found an increase over time among patients receiving regular comprehensive dental care.
Another study conducted at the university in 2012 found that access to care alone is not effective in preventing oral health disease among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Established in 1976, TDF is a network of dental clinics that provide oral health care to such patients across Massachusetts, including examinations, dental cleanings, restorative dentistry and periodontal care. Today, the program serves about 7,000 patients at eight clinics. In addition, it provides support for patients who require advanced behavioral or anxiety techniques, such as sedation or general anesthesia. The dental school's general practice residency program also includes training in oral health care of special needs patients. Postgraduate students have the opportunity to gain comprehensive experience treating individuals with special needs in the TDF clinics.
According to 2010 figures from the Census Bureau, about 1.2 million adults in the U.S. have an intellectual disability and 944,000 have other developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or autism. In addition, it estimates that approximately 1.7 million children in the U.S. have an intellectual or developmental disability or condition.
The study, titled "Relationship Between Duration of Treatment and Oral Health in Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," was published in the July–August issue of the Special Care in Dentistry journal.
