Accessibility Cookies Privacy notice GDPR
Select topic
Population Health Housing and accommodation Employment and Education Family Other topics
Select local authority
Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Angus Argyll and Bute City of Edinburgh Clackmannanshire Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Dumfries and Galloway Dundee East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Lothian East Renfrewshire Falkirk Fife Glasgow City Highland Inverclyde Midlothian Moray North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire Orkney Islands Perth and Kinross Renfrewshire Scottish Borders Shetland Islands South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire Stirling West Dunbartonshire West Lothian
Select health board
Ayrshire and Arran Borders Dumfries and Galloway Fife Forth Valley Grampian Greater Glasgow and Clyde Highland Lanarkshire Lothian Orkney Shetland Tayside Western Isles
Home / Our research / Determinants of health and inequalities research / Oral health / Prevalence of toothlessness in people with learning disabilities

Prevalence of toothlessness in people with learning disabilities

Background

Good oral health is fundamental to general health, wellbeing and quality of life. Despite this, adults with learning disabilities may have poorer oral health compared to the general population. This is a preventable prevalent problem; personalised care and good oral hygiene can combat the two main dental problems (tooth decay and gum disease). This study investigated the prevalence of edentulousness (no natural teeth) in adults with learning disabilities and associated factors.

What we did

560 adults with learning disabilities had an oral health exam between 2004-2006. The results for the number of teeth were compared to general population data from the Scottish Health Survey of 2008. Demographic and clinical factors considered were: sex, age, level of learning disabilities (mild/ moderate/ severe/ profound), accommodation type (lives with family carer/ independently/ paid support/ congregate setting), Down Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, problem behaviour, and whether the individual was taking medication (antipsychotic, antiepileptic).

What we found

Having no natural teeth increased as adults aged, but this was consistently higher for those with learning disabilities. There was a widening inequity with progressive age groups: for the 35-44 year olds 21% of adults with learning disabilities had no teeth, compared to 1% of the general population, for the 65-74  year olds this group difference was 77% vs. 22%. Having no natural teeth was more likely for people with more severe learning disabilities; taking antipsychotic medications and living in more deprived neighbourhoods.

What this means

Many adults with learning disabilities have no natural teeth and need supported daily care to reduce the need for extractions. Personalised support in good oral hygiene would improve the poor oral health experienced by adults with learning disabilities.

The original publication associated with this research can be found here.

For more information on this research, please contact Dr Deborah Kinnear

Updated 12 September 2020

Infographic: Prevalence of toothlessness in people with learning disabilities Oral health easy read pdf

View other information

Systematic literature review of oral health in adults with learning disabilities Dental experiences of adults with learning disabilities Inequalities in oral health and access to dental services in children and young people with learning disabilities