Evaluation of Treatment Modification Strategies Utilized in the Management of Patients With Intellectual Disabilities

This study evaluated the success of non-pharmacological management techniques in allowing patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) who had a previous history of receiving dental care under general anesthesia (GA) to receive oral disease management without pharmacological intervention.

A retrospective chart review of 112 adult patients with ID was conducted in the Personalized Care Suite for Persons with Disabilities at Penn Dental Medicine. Patients were grouped based on their prior history of dental treatment with or without GA. Their treatment outcomes were measured across four categories: completion of planned treatments, treatment plan progress, behavioral interventions used during non-invasive procedures, and the ability of individuals with a prior history of GA to complete invasive procedures.

It was found that 73% of those with a history of GA were able to complete invasive dental procedures using non-pharmacological behavioral management techniques. Although multiple visits were necessary to complete dental procedures, ID patients with previous dental treatment under GA successfully received dental care in an outpatient setting without sedation.

These findings support the focus on shifting dental care for persons with disabilities from relying on GA to incorporating non-pharmacological behavioral management techniques through repeated outpatient visits.