Dental needs in patients with Sjögren's disease compared to the general population: A cross-sectional study

To describe the dental health status of patients with Sjögren's disease (SD), particularly as concerns care needs, coronal restoration quality, the prevalence of caries and wear lesions, relative to the general population from the RESTO DATA study.

Thirty-eight patients with SD were recruited during specialist consultations at Brest University Hospital and Charles Foix Hospital in Paris between December 2020 and December 2021. A questionnaire was used to record data for dental risk factors. Dental health status was assessed with the DMF-T index, ICDAS score, and the BEWE coding system, and oral health-related quality of life was assessed with the OHIP-14. The Xerostomia Inventory was used to evaluate xerostomia symptoms. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flows were measured, together with saliva pH and buffering capacity.

The SD patients had more visible heavy dental plaque on teeth, a high prevalence of non-cavitated carious lesions, a large number of restored teeth, a high prevalence of cervical lesions, secondary caries, restoration failure, and a high percentage of wear lesions, despite regular attendance and correct eating habits. In the SD population, the characteristics of carious and wear lesions and the status of restorations were influenced by salivary flows. The SD population had a significantly poorer oral quality of life.

These results confirm that SD is associated with oral health issues, with increases in the risks of carious lesions, wear lesions, and restoration failures. These findings could serve as early warning signs for oral healthcare professionals in the context of Sjögren's disease diagnosis.