The oral health status of dentate patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis therapy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on renal replacement therapy with a matched reference population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Forty-two dentate CRF patients--aged 25-52 years old--were matched with a reference group of 808 dentate subjects. METHODS: The oral health was assessed using decayed missing filled (DMF) indices, simplified oral hygiene index and periodontal status. An oral health questionnaire was used to assess self-reported dental problems. Student t-tests and chi-square tests were performed to compare the CRF patients with the controls. RESULTS: All index-scores in the CRF patients were comparable with the controls except for number of teeth covered with calculus that was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CRF patients (4.1 +/- 2.6) than in controls (3.0 +/- 2.9). The self-reported oral health questionnaire revealed a trend for increased temporomandibular complaints in CRF patients (16.7%vs 5.7% in controls; P = 0.06) as well as bad taste (31.0%vs 6.8% in controls, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: For most dental aspects, the oral health of CRF patients is comparable with controls.