Promoting oral health care for people with disabilities Tools for oral health professionals

In this thesis, various aspects of oral health care for people with disabilities are evaluated, aiming to equip oral health professionals (OHPs) with tools to provide appropriate care to these patients. Although the primary focus is on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the research aims to improve oral health care for all people with disabilities. The research design includes two systematic reviews, an observational study, a qualitative study, a controlled clinical trial, and a secondary analysis to address the research questions.
The thesis concludes that OHPs in primary care can play an important role in promoting oral health care for people with disabilities. This includes familiarizing patients with disabilities with the dental setting, and providing continuity of care through preventive guidance, monitoring, and management of oral diseases. Additionally, timely referrals to specialized clinics should be ensured when necessary.
To support OHPs in tailoring their care to the specific needs of their patients with disabilities, the thesis identifies tools in the following areas:
*Toothbrushing: A triple-headed manual toothbrush is a valuable addition to the range of available toothbrushes.
*Adolescents with mild ID: Structure (influencing toothbrushing and intake frequency), Anxiety (impeding dental visits), and Support (provided by support workers) are pivotal factors influencing the oral health behavior of adolescents living in residential care.
*Restorations: Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) is an effective restorative treatment technique for patients with disabilities
*Tooth agenesis in Down syndrome: The Tooth Agenesis Code (TAC) is a valuable tool to ensure clear communication about tooth agenesis.