Oral health and learning disabilities: the role of nurses in breaking the cycle of inequality
To recognise the systemic health consequences of poor oral health for people with learning disabilities
To explore how learning disability nurses’ specialist skills in education, communication and sensory adaptation can address oral health inequalities
To consider oral health promotion as a strategic and cost-effective way to maximise the impact of learning disability nurses within current workforce constraints
People with learning disabilities experience significant health inequalities, with poor oral health acting as a catalyst for wider systemic complications. This article reviews evidence linking poor oral health to cardiovascular disease, nutritional deficiencies, respiratory complications, social isolation and increased healthcare use. Registered nurses for learning disabilities (RNLDs) are uniquely positioned to address these inequalities. Their expertise in sensory processing, communication and individualised care enables them to support individuals and carers with developing effective oral health routines. In the context of workforce depletion, RNLD-led oral health promotion represents a strategic and cost-effective use of scarce resources, with the potential to deliver population-level health improvements.
