Objectives: To examine caries experience and associated factors among adults with physical and intellectual disabilities in South Australia.
Methods: Cross-sectional mailed questionnaire survey (February 2005 – June 2006) of carers of adults with physical and intellectual disabilities (18-44 years) living in South Australia in three settings: family home; community housing; and institutions, and oral examinations of care recipients recording decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT).
Results: Carers completed the questionnaire for 485 adults, of which 267 were examined (completion rate= 55%). Some 48.7% of care recipients lived in family homes, 30.3% in the community and 21.0% in institutions.
The prevalence of untreated decay was 16.9% and 76.3% had caries experience. Multivariate analysis showed that there was no difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of untreated decay (D>0), tooth loss (M>0), filled teeth (F>0), caries experience (DMFT>0) or DMFT score among the three residential settings. However, there were significant associations (OR ± 95% CI excluded unity) between untreated decay and moderate and high intake of sweet drinks; tooth loss and requirement for a general anaesthetic for dental treatment and having low and high weekly hours of care; filled teeth and age, lack of oral hygiene assistance from carers and high weekly hours of care; caries prevalence and age and lack of oral hygiene assistance from carers; and DMFT score (ß, P<0.05) and age, main disabling condition and high weekly hours of care.
Conclusions: Residential setting was not associated with caries experience among adults with disabilities. Emphasis should be placed on modifiable factors like carer assistance with daily oral hygiene care and diet whilst ensuring that carers are not overburdened.
Supported by: FHS Divisional Scholarship, The University of Adelaide and Australian Dental Research Foundation.