Dental 4 Less, Long term oral care for adults with special needs
Among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the likelihood of having cavities decreased as the number of years receiving dental care increased, researchers report. “Based on these results, patients had a significant decrease in cavities. Dental pain, infection, cooperation level, and hygiene also tended to improve over time; however, results for these outcomes were not statistically significant,” said one researcher.
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.