Effectiveness of Oral Health Interventions Among Intellectually Disabled Children-A Systematic Review

This review aims to compare the effectiveness of various oral health interventions to improve the oral hygiene and oral health status of intellectually disabled children.

A comprehensive literature search was performed and screened for articles in PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL, Google Scholar, EMBASE databases, and gray literature databases from January 2013 to December 2023. The search focused on randomized and clinical trials aimed at improving oral health status in children with intellectual disabilities were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Data extraction was performed independently by two authors, involving 11 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The studies were assessed using the Cochrane Rob Tool. A descriptive summary of the significant findings was reported.

The studies used various oral health promotion strategies such as supervised tooth brushing, fluoride application, and oral health education interventions in reducing dental caries, gingival disease, and improving oral health among intellectually disabled children. All the included studies were of level 2 evidence.

This review highlights the effectiveness of fluoride applications, specialized toothbrushes, and caregiver training in improving the oral health of children with intellectual disabilities.