The Effect of Oral Health Care and Training in Patients Undergoing Dialysis on the Prevention of Intraoral Complications

Objective: This study aims to determine the effects of oral health care and education on the prevention of intraoral complications in patients undergoing dialysis. Methods: In this study, a quasi-experimental pretest/post-test control group design was adopted. The patients in the study group performed oral care for 4 weeks, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, in line with oral healthcare education. The control group did not receive any training. Results: It was found that the tooth brushing habits decreased as the education level decreased (P =.009), the frequency of oral care decreased after the beginning of dialysis (P =.011), and the patients who regularly brushed their teeth before dialysis could not brush their teeth as often after starting dialysis because of a "lack of time" (P =.000). Plaque index and gingival index scores were found to be lower after oral care practices and education in the study (P =.000). These scores were higher in the control group that did not apply any oral care practices (P =.000). Conclusion: In conclusion, it was determined that oral health care and education have a positive effect on relieving and preventing intraoral complications.