THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH RENAL DISEASE IN CENTRAL INDIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Aim: To compare prevalence of caries and periodontal disease amongst patients on renal dialysis with healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted amongst 30 cases and 30 controls. Patients who were diagnosed with renal disease were included as cases and systemically healthy individuals as controls. Patients' perceptions of oral health were recorded using structured questionnaires. TheWHOproforma (1997) was used to record the periodontal condition, caries status and the treatment need of each group. Results: The number of people affected by periodontal disease (bleeding and calculus) was significantly higher amongst people with renal disease compared with controls (p< 0.05) and also mean caries prevalence amongst the cases was significantly higher compared with controls (p< 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence for greater periodontal disease amongst patients with renal disease as compared with healthy individuals.