A retrospective study conducted by researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and colleagues reports that among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the likelihood of having cavities decreased as the number of years receiving dental care increased. The findings, published in the July/August issue of Special Care in Dentistry, may help improve interventions designed to address the oral health of individuals in this population.
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.
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.
Overall, there was a statistically significant trend for cavity rates to decline over the course of treatment. At the first visit, the rate of cavities was greater than 60 percent; at subsequent time periods (less than 3 years, 3 to 10 years, greater than 10 years), it was lower than 45 percent.
The Tufts Dental Facilities Serving Persons with Special Needs provides patients with dental care including examinations, dental cleanings, restorative dentistry, periodontal care, endodontic care, prosthetic dentistry, and tooth extraction. It also provides support for patients who require advanced behavioral or anxiety techniques such as sedation or general anesthesia for treatment.
The program operates eight clinics across the state of Massachusetts, located in Baldwinville, Canton, Hathorne, Groton, Taunton, West Springfield, Worcester, and Wrentham, seven of which are made possible by a contractual partnership between TUSDM and the state's Department of Developmental Services and Department of Public Health. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine's general practice residency program includes training in the oral health care of special needs patients and provides post-graduate students with clinical experience treating individuals with disabilities in the TDF clinics under the guidance and supervision of experienced faculty members trained in special care dentistry.