Some of the evidence used to in the formulation of the NICE guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis for invasive dental procedures that we discussed yesterday was the recognition that everyday oral activities cause bacteraemia (Dental Elf 10th May 2011). This new cross-sectional study by Zhang et al looked the bacteraemia caused by flossing compared with scaling [read the full story…]
Dental caries, or tooth decay is estimated to develop at the same rate in people with learning disabilities as in the general population.. The prevalence of untreated dental caries, however, is much higher among people with learning disabilities, particularly among those living in non-institutional settings. The researchers in this Brazilian study set out to look [read the full story…]
More than 50% of dental practitioners are thought to use panoramic radiographs to screen their new adult patients. While the UK Faculty of General Dental Practitioners recommend the use of intra-oral radiographs for the assessment of the adult dentate patient for the presence of caries, periodontal bone loss and apical pathology. One of the aims [read the full story…]
Rates of mental illness in adolescents with learning disabilities have been reported as higher than those expected in adolescents without learining disabilities. This study set out to look at the prevalence and predictors of mental health needs and service use in adolescents with learning disabilities. They researchers worked with a service-based sample of 75 young [read the full story…]
Sleep problems in young people with learning disabilities have been explored in a number of studies, particularly in relation to the impact on families and supporters, but there is relatively little in the literature about the impact of sleep problems on older people with learning disabilities. The researchers in this Dutch study wanted to look [read the full story…]
Despite improvements in dental practice dental procedures are often perceived as painful and uncomfortable. The aim of the study was to investigate factors that influence pain intensities associated with routine dental procedures. This study was conducted in general dental practices in the North West of England. 451 dental patients self-reported pain experienced during the procedure [read the full story…]
The aim of this cross sectional study was to investigate the association between the frequency of alcohol consumption and periodontitis. A sample of 542 adults aged 35-55 underwent a complete periodontal examinations with alcohol consumption being measured using AUDIT (alcohol use disorders identification test) and CAGE (Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) instruments. Patients were classified into [read the full story…]
A previous systematic review has shown that ‘‘People with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are over three times more likely to lose their teeth’. Another large cross-sectional study from the USA has now been published that looks at the associations among depression, anxiety, use of oral health services, and tooth loss. This [read the full story…]
The authors of this review of the literature set out to look at the assumptions held about the impact of short breaks on family carers and disabled children. 60 articles or reports were identified for inclusion in the review, the vast majority being cross-sectional studies. The reviewers found eight studies using quasi-experimental pre-post designs or [read the full story…]
This cross-sectional study used interviews with over 1000 adults with learning disabilities within a defined location along with a review of their medical records. Area deprivation was defined by postcode, using Carstairs scores. The authors found that area deprivation had no influence on access to social supports, daytime primary health-care services or hospital admissions. However, [read the full story…]
