[A study of dental status and its contributing factors in mentally retarded persons institutionalized in welfare...

Two hundred and forty-one mentally retarded persons, institutionalized in three private welfare facilities in Oita Prefecture, were assessed for dental status and tooth brushing ability. Information on their life style was also obtained by a questionnaire completed by their supervisors in the facilities. 1) Dental status of mentally retarded subjects was found to be inferior compared to the general Japanese population studied in the survey of dental disease in 1987 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Inferior dental status was characterized by a low score for filled teeth and a high score for missing teeth. 2) Both low tooth brushing ability and low intelligence quotient were associated with their poor dental status. 3) Discrepancy between supervisor assessment of tooth brushing ability and actual ability was observed. 4) Periodontitis was observed in young epileptics taking antiepileptic medication at a high rate. However there was no association between the taking of antiepileptic medication and missing teeth score. These results indicate a necessity for more active dental services including the teaching of tooth brushing and early treatment by dentists and supervisors.