As already outlined, good oral health contribu
tes to general health and wellbeing. There is
relatively little epidemiological research on the
oral health needs of people with a learning
disability. Children and adults with a learni
ng disability suffer from the same common oral
diseases and conditions as the rest of society
(Fig 1); however, there is evidence that they
experience poorer outcomes an
d the impact of oral disease on quality of life can be
profound as it impairs eating, sp
eaking socialising and comfort.