Developing an OHRQoL measure for adults with LD V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
People with learning disabilities: Developing a way to measure their oral health-related quality of life
IRAS ID
332393
Contact name
James Bird
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background
Adults with learning disabilities are an under-represented group in research and so there are many unanswered questions about the oral health of this population. Typically, adults with learning disabilities have worse oral hygiene, more severe gum disease, more missing teeth and more untreated decay than people in the general population. The high prevalence of unmet oral needs means adults with learning disabilities are likely to experience pain, infection, difficulties eating and disturbed sleep as well as other social and emotional impacts on their lives. There is a need for a specific oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measure for adults with learning disabilities to measure the impact of these unmet oral health needs in this population.Aim
The aim of this research is to co-design an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measure that is accessible and appropriate for people with learning disabilities (LD).Methods
This study will interview 20-25 people with learning disabilities and, for those whose disabilities are severe or profound, 5 of their family members or carers, to ascertain how oral health affects the daily lives of people with learning disabilities. The findings from these interviews will be used in co-design workshops with adults with learning disabilities and carers or family members of adults with learning disabilities to co-design an accessible oral health related quality of life measure for adults with learning disabilities.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
24/IEC08/0009
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion