Caries Experience of Adults with Intellectual Disability in the Western Part of Germany

Background: In Germany, there is limited evidence on the oral health of adults with intellectual disabilities (AwID).

Methods: In 2017/18, dental examinations of AwID and a questionnaire survey of their legal guardians were carried out. The mean D3MFT values were calculated to describe the caries experience. The prevalence of AwID with at least one fissure sealant (FS) was determined and associations between caries experience and various sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, gender, living arrangements) were investigated.

Results: The data of 132 AwID (mean age 35.2 years; range 18-69 years) could be included. For all AwIDs the mean D3MFT value was 9.5 (95% CI 8.1-11.0). The mean D3MFT value for the 35-44-year-olds was 10.9 (95% CI 8.4-13.4). All caries-free persons (n = 14) were younger than 45 years. Furthermore, the mean D3MFT value for AwID living with their parents was lower at a statistically significant level than that of AwID in independent living arrangements. Moreover, younger AwIDs (18-34-year-olds) with at least one FS had a statistically significantly lower mean D3MFT value compared to those without any FS (D3MFT: 3.0 vs. 6.7).

Conclusions: The dental health of AwID has improved in Germany in recent years, but, on average, AwIDs still have more missing teeth than their peers in the general population. Oral epidemiological studies on AwID should include information on their living arrangements to assess potential associations between sociodemographic factors and oral health.