[Oral hygiene in patients with motor neuron disease: a cross-sectional survey]

Neuromuscular disorders cause damage to the motor nerves. Arm-hand function can severely be impaired. The needs of and limitations of patients with neuromuscular disorders and the role of their carers in providing oral hygiene were studied. To this end, an online survey was sent to 706 patients with a neuromuscular disorder (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, primary lateral sclerosis and progressive bulbar palsy). The survey questions concerned, among other things, self-reliance, the oral situation and oral hygiene. Oral health-related quality of life and subjective well-being were also measured. A total of 259 patients (36.7%) responded, of whom 71.9% declared themselves not to have been informed about the importance of maintaining good oral health. Moreover, 40.4% wished to receive help from an oral care professional regarding their oral hygiene; 19.8% was not satisfied with the oral care they provided for themselves or as provided by their carers. It was concluded that attention to oral hygiene for patients with neuromuscular disorders by both multidisciplinary treatment teams and oral care professionals is required.