The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69766

Donna Bainbridge, PT, EdD, ATC¹, Meg A Traci, PhD², and Thomas Seekins, PhD¹. (1) Rural Institute, University of Montana, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, MT 59812, 406 243-5741, dbridge@selway.umt.edu, (2) Rural Institute on Disabilities, The University of Montana, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, MT 59812

Dental/oral hygiene problems are among the top 10 secondary conditions limiting function in adults with developmental disabilities (DD) (Traci, Seekins, Ravesloot, Szalda-Petree, 2002). Etiology and severity of disability, as well as age and residential arrangements affect oral health and hygiene (Gabre & Gahnberg, 1997). Problems include more untreated caries (Costello, 1990; Cumella et al., 2000), and higher rates of gingivitis (60% - 97% compared to 28%- 75%) (American Dental Association, 2000; Camella et al., 2000).

This research explores strategies for managing oral health behaviors with low-cost, health-promoting outcomes. Twelve adults with DD from supported living situations will be selected based on secondary limitation from dental/oral problems. The consumer and a personal assistant will receive randomly ordered interventions, or participate in a control condition. Interventions include double-headed toothbrush, mechanical rotary toothbrush, and sonic toothbrush. The control condition is a manual toothbrush used in standardized manner. The personal assistant will deliver daily prompts and bi-weekly reinforcement across all conditions.

Dental hygienists, randomly assigned and blind to intervention, will perform the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (Greene and Vermillion, 1964), the Lobene Stain Index (Lobene, 1968), and the Gingival Index (Loe and Silness, 1964) after each intervention. Consumers will answer surveys assessing brushing behavior and self-efficacy. The PA will log time and effect of prompts and reinforcement. Cost effectiveness of each intervention and PA support will be related to costs of dental care and limitation from secondary conditions.

Learning Objectives:

• discuss oral health problems in persons with DD
• describe effects of several interventions,
• formulate strategies to improve self-care programs.

Keywords: Disability Studies, Health Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.