Oral Health Characteristics of Learning Disability Patients at Transition Phase to Adult Dental Services

Abstract

Aim: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the available literature to ascertain the oral health characteristics of patients with LD in this challenging transition phase of their lives where they transfer from paediatric to adult health and social care services. Material and Methods: An electronic and manual search was conducted which produced 1320 articles. Following title and abstract screening and the removal of duplicates, as well as articles not available in English, 45 articles were assessed for eligibility. The search yielded 10 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The strength of evidence in these studies was evaluated using the BMJ AXIS tool. Results: People with LD in their transitional phase have only fair oral hygiene and the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease is higher among this cohort compared to the general population. Caries rates in people with LD in their transition phase are high. However, the rates of caries or periodontal disease depend on many variables such as oral hygiene, parents or carer education level and the severity or the type of the LD. Conclusion: People with LD in their transition phase need oral health education and preventive programmes specifically designed to address their needs and meet their intellectual challenges. Parents, as well as their caregivers, need more awareness and an overall change of attitude toward the whole oral health concept. Additionally, sufficient information should be supplied to parents and caregivers on the proper approach to cope with the dental health of such a group of patients.