Prevalence of and factors associated with fewer than 20 remaining teeth in Taiwanese adults with disabilities: a community-based cross-sectional study

Objectives To examine the prevalence of and the factors associated with a number of remaining teeth (NRT) < 20 among adults with disabilities. Design A community-based, cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting This study was part of a health promotion programme designed for community-dwelling adults with disabilities. Participants A total of 549 adults with disabilities, aged 20-80 years, living in the community in Chiayi County in Taiwan. Outcome measures Various parameters, including NRT, oral health behaviours (ie, oral hygiene, dietary habits and substance use), comorbidities, disability classification and capability for performing activities of daily living, were measured. Data were statistically analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The mean NRT was 18.1 (SD=10.9); 44.8% of participants had NRT < 20 (including 13.7% edentulous participants). Most participants had poor oral hygiene: 83.4% reported seldom using dental floss, 78% did not undergo regular 6-monthly dental check-ups and 77.4% seldom brushed their teeth after meal. After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, the intellectual disability group had a significantly higher risk of an NRT < 20 than the physical disability group (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.08). Additionally, the rare use of dental floss and hypertension significantly increased the possibility of an NRT < 20 (OR 1.73-2.12, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.71). Conclusions An NRT < 20 and edentulism were highly prevalent among adults with disabilities, who displayed poor oral hygiene behaviours. Adults with intellectual disabilities had a greater likelihood of having an NRT < 20 than did those with physical disability. In addition to unmodifiable factors, the poor use of dental floss was significantly associated with an NRT < 20.