Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2021.60.s1.14
Oral Health Assessment of Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis
Luka Šimunović
orcid.org/0000-0003-2848-6041
; Dental student, University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Bruno Špiljak
orcid.org/0000-0003-2545-4474
; Dental student, University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Karmela Altabas
; Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Internal Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Patients on peritoneal and hemodialysis represent a risk group for developing
changes of the oral cavity, which ultimately lead to the loss of teeth and affect the overall health of
patients. The basis of this research is a WHO (World Health Organization) survey on adults’ oral
hygiene to determine its state and the habit of its maintenance in this group of patients. The sample
consisted of 59 subjects on dialysis at Sestre milosrdnice UHC (48% female) aged 25-85 (median 66
years), 14% of which was on peritoneal dialysis. Most patients reported adequate oral hygiene. Nonetheless,
half of the patients complained to have functional problems in the oral cavity. Their last visit
to the dentist is also taken into account as most of the respondents (27.1%) reported it within the last
six months, while 23.7% of respondents reported it between 2 and 5 years.
Insight into the state of the oral cavity is the first step towards improving both the oral and the
overall health of patients on dialysis, which is why we find the education of this group of patients
about the importance of maintaining oral hygiene necessary.
Keywords
Oral health; Dialysis; Surveys and questionnaires
Hrčak ID:
260408
URI
Publication date:
1.1.2021.
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