Oral microbial and respiratory status of persons with mental retardation/intellectual and developmental disability: an observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of select microorganisms in oral biofilms and to investigate relationships between oral and respiratory status in persons with mental retardation/intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a 6-month-long observational cohort study with 63 persons with IDD. Oral examinations, oral sampling, and medical record reviews were performed at baseline and then monthly. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze all baseline oral samples for the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevotella melaninogenica, and Candida albicans. PCR analyses were also performed on participants' samples collected in the month before being diagnosed with a respiratory infection. RESULTS: All subjects had P. melaninogenica detected by PCR in their oral samples. Fifty-five percent (35 of 63) of participants had S. pneumoniae, MRSA, and C. albicans in their oral samples at baseline. No dental decay was detected clinically, oral hygiene was fair, and dysphagia was common. During the 6 months of the study, there were 22 respiratory infections (35% of participants)-12 pneumonias, 7 sinusitis, 1 bronchitis, and 1 upper respiratory tract infection. Participants with microorganisms in their baseline samples were significantly more likely to develop any respiratory infection and those who had poor oral status were significantly more likely to develop pneumonia. Almost 60% of participants who developed respiratory infections had the same microorganism detected in the sample collected in the month before infection as had been detected in their baseline sample. CONCLUSION: Potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity and poor oral status significantly increased the risk of developing respiratory infections, including pneumonia, in persons with IDD. The results suggest that colonization with these microorganisms may persist despite routine tooth brushing. Meticulous comprehensive oral hygiene of the oral cavity may be needed to reduce oropharyngeal microbial load.

Helicobacter pylori infection in people who are intellectually and developmentally disabled: a review.

The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium has been classified by the World Health Organization as a type 1 carcinogen with associations to the development of peptic and gastric ulcers, gastric carcinoma and primary B-cell lymphoma. Individuals who have intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (IDDD) exhibit H. pylori gastric infection at approximately twice the rate of the general population and have recurrences after triple drug treatment at a rate nearly seven times that of the general population. Gastrointestinal malignancy is reported to account for almost 50% of all cancer deaths in this population. Oral-oral and fecal-oral routes are theorized to be the primary modes of transmission for the ingestion of the bacterium. Maladaptive behaviors exhibited by individuals who have IDDD can be considered risk factors for H. pylori infection since H. pylori has been cultivated from vomitus, saliva, and feces. The purpose of this paper is to review information regarding Helicobacter pylori infection in persons with IDDD and highlight the significance of oral infection.

The economics of pit and fissure sealants in preventive dentistry: a review.

Oral diseases are progressive, cumulative, and become more intricate to treat with advancement. While dental caries is an infectious transmissible disease with children being at the highest risk, primary prevention can reduce this risk. Primary prevention in dentistry is usually considered to be community fluoridated water supplies, professional fluoride treatments, and pit and fissure sealants. While community fluoridated water supplies have been proven to be cost-effective, the cost-effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants has primarily been studied in school-based programs of children from low socio-economic backgrounds. Dental sealant programs are just one way to help increase primary prevention in the oral health disparities of children. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature regarding the cost-effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants as a preventive strategy in preventive dentistry.

Xylitol in the prevention of oral diseases.

Special needs populations such as the mentally disabled or developmentally disabled present a unique challenge for the dental professionals providing dental treatment. Among those challenges is oral health promotion through primary prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. There are many barriers to adequate oral care for these special needs patients that include cost, physical limitations, low levels of perceived need and lack of dental knowledge by residents and staff, if the person resides in an institution. Primary prevention to maintain oral comfort and function for these patients is a priority to support their quality of life. Typical oral health problems of these patients include hyposalivation, root-surface caries, poor oral hygiene, a high prevalence of periodontal disease and dental caries. The purpose of this paper is to review information for the inclusion of xylitol in primary preventive regimens as an adjunct for the prevention of oral diseases for special needs patients.