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

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.

Cross-sectional study.

Forty-two dentate CRF patients--aged 25-52 years old--were matched with a reference group of 808 dentate subjects.

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.

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).

For most dental aspects, the oral health of CRF patients is comparable with controls.