Does information about patients who are intellectually disabled translate into better cooperation during dental visits?

The objective of this study was to investigate whether having background information about a patient with an intellectual disability (ID) would have a positive effect on the level of cooperation during a first dental visit. Study participants were 57 consecutive dental patients (mean age = 24.3 years, range: 4 to 69) with ID, who received a first oral examination at a center for special dental care. They were randomly assigned to a condition in which the dentist either received information about the patient prior to a dental visit (n = 29) or not (n = 28). Patients were assessed on the level of displayed cooperation, using a behavior-rating scale. Patients with less-severe levels of ID displayed better cooperation. No significant difference was found between the cooperation scores of both groups. The results suggest that the availability of comprehensive information concerning patients who are intellectually disabled prior to a dental appointment does not enhance cooperative behavior.