Search

Purpose: Maintaining a high level of periodontal and oral health in patients undergoing renal dialysis is of paramount importance because of the inherent compromised host defence mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to determine the periodontal status and the level of dental caries in renal dialysis patients in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on two groups of patients: one including 68 renal dialysis patients (test) and the other including 30 healthy subjects (control). Half-mouth measurements of Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP) as well as decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) index were recorded. Results: The GI, BOP, PPD, CAL and GR were significantly greater among the test group as compared with the control group; however, the DMFT did not differ significantly among the groups. There was no relationship between the duration of the dialysis and the periodontal indices. Conclusions: It seems that patients with chronic renal failure have less favourable periodontal health than normal patients. The present study showed that oral home care practices were inadequate. Thus, preventive programmes to promote the oral health status of haemodialysis patients are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]