Move of adults with intellectual disability from institutions to community-based living: changes of food arrangements and oral health.

The policy of deinstitutionalisation, integration and increased independence for individuals with intellectual disability has been accepted in the western part of the world. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in oral health and eating arrangements when intellectually disabled persons move from an institution to integrated living. In 55 subjects the incidence of caries and tooth mortality was compared 4.7 years before and after the change in living arrangements. In addition, changes in oral hygiene routines, eating arrangements and weight were registered. The incidence of caries and tooth mortality was low among individuals with severe and moderate intellectual disability during 4.7 years before as well as after de-institutionalisation, and no differences could be observed between the periods. After 4.7 years of integrated living, 40% of the subjects were estimated to have gained weight. Among those subjects with an estimated decreased weight (13%), the caries incidence was higher compared to other subjects with intellectual disability. Participation in grocery shopping and cooking increased in the integrated living. The increase in weight suggests an impact on general health after almost 5 years of integrated living. No indications of a corresponding influence on oral health in individuals with severe or moderate intellectual disability could be observed after deinstitutionalisation. However, oral health in weight-losing subjects need further investigations.