Oral Health Status in Terminal Kidney Insufficiency Patients

Aim: There is evidence for an association of periodontitis and chronic kidney diseases (CKD), as well as for the positive effect of periodontal therapy on kidney function in CKD.The aim of the study was to determine the oral health status in patients suffering from terminal kidney insufficiency compared to a healthy control group without kidney insufficiency. Methods: 72 dialysis patients of the KfH-Kidney Center Chemnitz, Germany, were examined compared to147 healthy controls. All study subjects received a complete clinical oral examination. A thorough history of systemic diseases, drug use, smoking, oral hygiene habits, and utilization of dental care was obtained by questionnaires and interviews. Parameter of kidney function were obtained from medical charts for dialysis patients. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, comparison of means, correlation analysis as well as multivariate regression. Results: Hemodialysis patients had worse oral hygiene, less and more decayed teeth as well as worse periodontal conditions. Longer time on dialysis (> 3 years) together with a worse efficiency of dialysis was associated with a higher risk for periodontitis. After dentist became known the necessity of dialysis, 57% of the patients did not receive changes in dental treatment, and only 15% of all dialysis patients were offered any prophylaxis. Conclusion: Worse oral health was confirmed in hemodialysis patients compared to healthy controls. In dental practice, the awareness of this association is inadequately and has to be improved to reduce infectious burden as well as to prevent oral complications in these patients. Keywords: oral health status, periodontitis, kidney insufficiency