Oral health for people with intellectual disability and high support needs: positive outcomes.

This qualitative study, based on phenomenological approaches, explored and documented four situations in which positive oral health outcomes occurred for people with mental retardation and moderate to high support needs. Strategies and environmental factors that contributed to these oral health outcomes were identified through 10 semistructured interviews conducted with 'key-players' supporting the oral health of the people with disabilities. Participants included dental professionals, direct support workers, and other professionals who cared for their four people with disabilities. Common strategies expressed in the interviews included "giving it a go"; maintaining consistency; facilitating positive experiences; taking as much time as needed; respecting and encouraging choice making; timeliness and frequency of dental appointments; communication between support workers, dental professionals and the person with mental retardation; problem solving; assisting the person with disability to learn skills; and desensitisation. Contributing factors in the physical, social, and organizational environment also were identified.