Oral health in Brazilian patients with chronic renal disease

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

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

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.

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.

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.