The oral health status and behaviour among non-institutionalised employed adults with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Aim and objectives: There is paucity of studies which have focused on determining the oral health status and behaviour of employed people with intellectual disability (ID). This study aimed at investigating the oral health status and behaviour of non-institutionalised employed adults with ID, in order to provide better dental care.
Methodology: Sixty four non-institutionalised, working adults (mean age 34.5±6.65 years) with ID were examined using standard WHO oral health indices to assess dental caries, oral hygiene and periodontal status. Socio-demographic, behavioural and general health data were also collected through interviews with both adults with ID and their parents. Ethical approval was obtained by the Occupation Centre of the adults.
Results: Most of the workers had mild or moderate ID. The mean DMFT and DMFS scores were 9.65 and 26.43, respectively. Younger subjects and those from higher socioeconomic groups had significantly lower dental caries experience. Concerning periodontal health, 1.6% of the individuals had healthy periodontium, 38.1% bleeding on probing, 44.4% calculus, 12.7% shallow pockets and 3.2% deep pockets. The majority (64.5%) had good oral hygiene status as measured by OHI-s. According to their parents, only 32.1% of the subjects had ever received a professional fluoride treatment, while 50% and 27.3% reported daily consumption of foods and liquids with high sugar content, respectively. Almost 50% of the parents reported that general dentists appeared to be reluctant to provide care for ID individuals.
Conclusions: Employed adults with ID presented poor periodontal health and low level of restorative care, but acceptable oral hygiene status.