Factors Related to Regular Dental Check-Ups in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities in Japan.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the factors associated with regular dental check-ups among adults with intellectual disabilities in Japan, with the aim of increasing the attendance rate of regular dental check-ups, which are important for maintaining the oral health of persons with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: A questionnaire survey focused on oral health was conducted with 971 adults with intellectual disabilities in Japan. The survey included questions related to disability diagnosis, severity of intellectual disability, residence type, and several oral-health factors, including proxy-reported number of teeth, presence of a family dentist, frequency of regular dental check-ups, tooth-brushing habits, and availability of a dental hygienist at a facility. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between regular dental check-ups (dependent variable) and independent variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis, sex, diagnosis of disability, severity of intellectual disability, residence type, and the presence of a family dentist were significantly associated with regular dental check-ups. The ORs for nonregular dental check-ups were significantly higher for adults with Down syndrome, those with mild disability, and those living at home with family; the respective mean ORs (95% CIs) were 2.3 (1.2-4.4), 3.3 (1.3-8.4), and 1.8 (1.1-3.0). The absence of a family dentist had a particularly strong association with a lack of regular dental check-ups, with a mean OR (95% CI) of 15.0 (8.7-26.0). CONCLUSIONS: Regular dental check-ups among adults with intellectual disabilities in Japan were associated with sex, diagnosis of disability, severity of disability, type of residence, and the presence of a family dentist.

Posterior occluding pairs of teeth or dentures and 1-year mortality in nursing home residents in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Associations between tooth loss and mortality have been reported in older individuals. However, limited information is available regarding the association between occlusion and mortality in nursing home residents. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between posterior occluding pairs (POPs) of teeth or dentures and 1-year mortality in nursing home residents. METHODS: The subjects of this study were residents from four nursing homes in Aichi prefecture, Japan, who were capable of eating and were enrolled in baseline examinations. We examined the number of present teeth and POPs (0-8 pairs), defined as pairs of occluding natural, restored or fixed prosthetic post-canine teeth. Then, we defined prosthetic POPs (0-8 pairs) as pairs of occluding natural, restored or fixed prosthetic post-canine teeth and removable dentures. Nutritional status, activities of daily living, cognitive function and comorbid conditions were assessed. One year later, we followed up the subjects. Ultimately, we analysed 173 elderly people (mean age ± SD: 87.1 ± 8.6 years; the survival group: N = 145, the deceased group: N = 28). RESULTS: In univariate analyses, mortality was significantly associated with age, peripheral vascular disease, nutritional status, diet texture and POPs. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, subjects who had 0 prosthetic POPs had significantly higher odds of a high mortality, compared with 8 prosthetic POPs. CONCLUSION: Lack of properly occluding posterior teeth, whether remaining teeth or dentures, is associated with 1-year mortality. (228 words/250).

Impact of interocclusal contacts on infrared laser fluorescence in pits of sound first permanent molars in children.

BACKGROUND: A device based on infrared laser fluorescence (IRLF) has become available as an adjunct for the diagnosis of dental caries. AIMS: The objective of this study was to clarify the differences of IRLF readings in the mesial, central and distal occlusal pits of first permanent molars. DESIGN: Sixty-four children (average age 8.0 years) were examined using IRLF. The mesial, central and distal pits of clinically healthy first permanent molars were measured. The instrument provides measurements in arbitrary units on an open-ended interval scale. RESULTS: Mean (± SE) IRLF values in the mesial pits were 4.9 ± 0.4 (upper) and 6.5 ± 0.4 (lower) and were significantly lower than those in the central (8.8 ± 0.6 and 11.5 ± 0.9) and distal (9.6 ± 0.7 and 10.4 ± 0.8) pits in the maxilla and mandible. There was no significant difference between the right (7.3 ± 0.5, 9.4 ± 0.6) and left (8.2 ± 0.5, 9.5 ± 0.6) dental arches. IRLF measurements in the mesial pits of human first permanent sound molars were lower than the central and distal pits in children whose second molars had not erupted. CONCLUSIONS: The inherently higher IRLF values of some sites should not be misinterpreted and trigger early invasive treatment.