Good oral health has a direct correlation with a healthy cardiovascular system, a decrease in diabetes, and improved social well-being and quality of life. Dr. Steven Beetstra, DDS MHSA, Dental Program Director at the Nisonger Center shared his advice for promoting dental health for people with developmental disabilities.
Why is it important to talk about dental health specific to people with developmental disabilities?
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have many of the same desires and wants as people without disabilities but often need assistance to maintain their healthy smiles. Therefore, it is up to us as providers and care givers to make oral health a priority. We need all health professionals to address oral health. I have a physician colleague who reminds everyone that teeth affect overall health, and overall health affect teeth. We all need to work together to ensure our patient’s oral health needs are taken care of in an appropriate manner. The first step is to have all healthcare providers address it with patients and caregivers.”
What are some dental health concerns for people with developmental disabilities?
“Our patients often are medically compromised and at risk of contracting pneumonia. Research has shown that poor oral health and oral hygiene places our patients at a higher risk of developing aspiration pneumonia and other health conditions. It is our responsibilities as caregivers to make sure we remove plaque daily to diminish this risk. Having healthy teeth and a smile is vitally important for our patients and their self-esteem. Just like you or I, we want to make a good first impression. As more opportunities arise in the community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we as health care providers need to listen more intently to understand what our patients want and need to be successful.”
What can people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers do to promote good dental health?
“First and foremost is to be consistent in providing daily oral home care. The first step is to learn how to safely brush someone else’s teeth. Learning how to brush someone else’s teeth without hurting them can be difficult and takes practice. Doing it incorrectly often causes pain for the individual and makes them hesitant and possibly uncooperative in the future.
Second, people with disabilities need to have their teeth professionally cleaned often to prevent the bacterial buildup that can cause pneumonia. Unfortunately, with the limited access to oral health providers who care for people with intellectual disabilities, it can be difficult to find a provider who is comfortable caring for a person with special needs. Fortunately for us, there are some initiatives in the state to train community providers to become competent in providing care safely and effectively.”
Some of these initiatives include:
- Programs through ODH
- Oral Health Ohio/State Oral Health Plan
- AADMD Education/Initiatives for Dentists/Students
Is there anything else people should know about dental health for people with developmental disabilities?
“In Ohio, we have excellent health services for this population. Here in Ohio, I often see patients in their sixties, seventies, and eighties with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With aging brings on added issues with oral health. I see root caries, bisphosphonate usage, and long-term effects from the use of medications. Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities often suffer from dry mouth due to the drying effect caused by the medications prescribed. Dry mouths make patients more susceptible to issues with their teeth, swallowing, and pain associated with the sensation of a burning mouth. We may want to consider salivary substitutes and topical fluoride. For those patients with seizure disorders, we need to be hypervigilant with hygiene to prevent gingival overgrowth. Being proactive and consistent with homecare can secure huge dividends as the patient ages.”
What resources are available to providers or people with developmental disabilities for more information on dental health?
“The first place I would go to get information is the National Institutes of Health Website. This website talks about dental care for people with autism, cerebral palsy, and other intellectual disabilities. It can be found at: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/developmental-disabilities.
Another location to find information is the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (https://www.aadmd.org/). This organization has great information on their website and focuses on policy, advocacy, and best practices for health care workers, home care providers, and individuals.
And of course, you can always contact us at The Ohio State University, Nisonger Center at Nisongerdental@osumc.edu for more information.”
Source: DODD
