Sociodemographic and oral profile of people with disabilities at the clinic of the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the University of Lisbon

Abstract

Objectives: Analyze the flow of appointments at the Dental Hygiene Clinic for People with Disabilities at FMDUL, characterize their clients, and relate their dental health status with their main disability, level of dependency, difficulties in oral hygiene, and frequency of appointments. Methods: This observational, analytical, cross-sectional study included a sample of 555 patients who attended the Dental Hygiene Clinic for People with Disabilities at FMDUL between 2015 and 2019. The decayed missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, bleeding index, and debris index were collected from clinical records. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of 5%. Results: During the study period, 3120 appointments were carried out. The DMFT index was 9.51(±7.49) and was higher in individuals with intellectual disabilities (p<0.001), in independent/autonomous individuals (p<0.001), and in those who attended the clinic for a longer time (p<0.001). Gingival bleeding was lower in autonomous individuals (p=0.013). More regular users had less bleeding and bacterial plaque, although without significant differences. The values of decayed teeth (p=0.02), bleeding (p<0.001), and bacterial plaque (p=0.004) were higher in uncooperative individuals. Conclusions: The dental health indicators of individuals who attend the dental hygiene clinic are positive and are influenced by dependency on activities of daily living, autonomy in oral hygiene, and cooperation in the appointments.