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Oral health of hemodialysis patients: A cross‐sectional study at two G erman dialysis centers
Author(s) -
Ziebolz Dirk,
Fischer Petra,
Hornecker Else,
Mausberg Rainer F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hemodialysis international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.658
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1542-4758
pISSN - 1492-7535
DOI - 10.1111/j.1542-4758.2011.00606.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hemodialysis , dialysis , oral hygiene , cross sectional study , diabetic nephropathy , dentistry , kidney , pathology
The aim of the study was to investigate the oral hygiene behavior and state of oral health of hemodialysis ( HD ) patients in G ermany. HD patients attending two dialysis centers were asked to participate in the study. Anamneses and oral hygiene behavior were recorded in a questionnaire. Dental examination included the dental status ( DMF ‐ T ) and the degree of gingival inflammation ( PDI : P eriodontol D isease I ndex). Of 129 patients contacted, 54 (42%), aged 63.9 ± 13.0 years (23 women and 31 men), took part in the study. At an average, dialysis was required for 4.1 years. The cause of terminal renal failure was glomerulonephritis in 30% of patients and diabetic nephropathy in 22% of patients. Since dialysis therapy, 63% of the patients ( n = 34) only visited a dentist when they had complaints. In 46 cases (85%), the dentist had been informed about the patient's requirement for dialysis, and in most cases (70%), the dental treatment took place on the day after dialysis. The mean DMF ‐ T of the HD patients was 22.1 ± 6.5. The proportion of carious teeth was low ( D ‐ T : 0.7 ± 1.2), of missing teeth ( M ‐ T ) high (16.2 ± 9.3). The median degree of gingival inflammation ( PDI ) was 1. Availing themselves of dental treatment after patients needed to have dialysis was mostly “complaint oriented.” In addition to a high proportion of missing teeth, a good level of restoration of caries was found. The gingiva showed only a low level of inflammatory changes.