Decrease in oral health may be associated with length of time since beginning dialysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how oral health is affected by the length of time a patient has been receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Ninety-four subjects participated in this study. Demographic, periodontal parameters, and decayed missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index were recorded by a trained and calibrated examiner. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group L (subjects who had been on HD for less than 36 months), and Group M (those who had been on HD for more than 37 months). In Group M, the mean probing depth was deeper (p= 0.01) and clinical attachment loss was significantly higher (p= 0.02) than subjects in Group L. The DMFT index score was also significantly higher in Group M (p= 0.03). A moderate correlation between length of time on HD and DMFT index, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss was observed. The group of subjects who had been on HD for more than 37 months had more periodontal disease and higher DMFT index scores, suggesting that the length of time on HD could negatively impact oral health. ©2012 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.