The oral health of adults with learning disabilities in Sheffield

Objectives: Although national surveys are conducted of the oral health of adults in the UK, few data are available on the oral health of adults with learning disabilities. A postal survey was conducted to investigate the oral health and use of dental services by adults with learning disabilities in Sheffield. Methods: A user-friendly questionnaire was developed and piloted then sent to a sample of 2000 adults on the learning disabilities case register in Sheffield. Results: Approximately one third of questionnaires (31.4%, n=628) were returned completed, 27.7% were completed by the individual and 54.3% were completed by a carer. The mean age was 40.2 (18-87 years). Nearly three-quarters (71.3%) of respondents had 20 or more teeth and approximately 31.2% rated their oral health as fair, poor or very poor. The percentage reporting pain, discomfort when eating and being self-conscious about their mouths (occasionally or more often in the last 12 months) were 27.7%, 26.6% and 13.1% respectively. Overall, 86.0% reported attending a dentist in the past two years with 13.2% reporting difficulties accessing routine care. The most commonly reported reason for difficulties were anxiety about dental treatment, problems with travel arrangements to the dentist and perceptions of a lack of an available local dentist. One fifth (19.3%) expressed a need for treatment. Conclusion: This was the first postal survey of the dental health of adults with learning disabilities in the UK. The oral health and dental service use of adults with learning disabilities in Sheffield were similar to other local, regional and national surveys of adult oral health. The findings have implications for the local commissioning of dental services for people with learning disabilities. This project was commissioned by NHS Sheffield.