Oral health in Brazilian patients with chronic renal disease.

BACKGROUND

Poor oral health status may have an impact on the health status of patients with chronic renal failure.

AIM: To describe the oral health status of a group of Brazilian patients with chronic renal failure.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Retrospective review of the medical records of patients with chronic renal failure, of whom 13 (4.5%) were in a predialysis stage, 158 (55%) were on hemodialysis, 23 (8.4%) were on peritoneal dialysis and 92 (32.1%) were transplanted. General oral health, presence of dental calculus, and halitosis were recorded. The number of decayed, missed and filled teeth was analyzed by means of DMF-T (Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth) index.

RESULTS

The sample was composed of 152 men (53%) and 134 women (47%), aged 42+/-13 years. Oral health status was considered defective in most patients (83%). Eighty-seven percent had dental calculus and 55% had halitosis. Transplant patients reported significantly less halitosis (40.2%) than the rest of the groups. The DMF-T for the whole population was 20.6 and had a positive correlation with age.

CONCLUSIONS

This group of patients with chronic renal failure presented a poor oral health status. Dental treatment programs for these patients should be implemented to avoid the exposure to dental pathogens.