Effect of Educational Level on Oral Health in Peritoneal and Hemodialysis Patients

Gulsen Bayraktar,Alaattin Yildiz,Rumeyza Kazancioglu,Isil Bayramgurler,Sinan Trablus,Oktay Ozkan,Mine Besler,Canan Bural,Serdar Cintan,Halim Issever,Nilgun Aysuna,Idil Kurtulus

doi:10.1155/2009/159767

Abstract

Background. In previous studies, the oral and dental health statuses were compared in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients without taking into account the effect of educational levels on oral health. Hence we aimed to make a comparison of these parameters based upon the subjects educational levels. Patients and Methods. 76 PD (33 males, 43 females-mean age: 44 ± 12 years) and 100 HD (56 males, 44 females-mean age: 46 ± 14 years) patients were included. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth were detected, DMFT index was calculated and plaque index (PI) values were assessed. Results. Significantly higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .001) and lower PI values (P < .01) in the PD group were detected with higher educational levels, whereas no significance was detected in the HD group. Higher DMFT index values were assessed in the lower educated and high school levels in PD than HD patients (P < .05). Higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .05) were detected in the secondary school level in PD patients. This difference was even more significant in the high school level (P < .001). Conclusion. We assume that PD patients, who were found to be in a higher educational level, are more caring for their oral health as compared to HD patients.

Highlights

Dialysis treatment aims to clear blood from toxins by using a semipermeable membrane in patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF)
No statistically significant differences were found between the distribution of age and gender as well as the means of time on dialysis among peritoneal dialysis (PD) and HD groups
The PD group was found to be composed of 37% of patients in the uneducated and primary school levels, whereas 34% of patients were in the high school level

Summary

Introduction

Dialysis treatment aims to clear blood from toxins by using a semipermeable membrane in patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF). Epstein et al [5] reported that salivary sodium and chloride concentrations were not lower in dialysis patients, but potassium tended to be higher in these patient groups. These authors detected significantly higher phosphate values, but no decrease in salivary calcium levels indicating that in the salivary gland there was any compensatory decrease in calcium when phosphate was elevated. Higher DMFT index values were assessed in the lower educated and high school levels in PD than HD patients (P < .05). Higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .05) were detected in the secondary school level in PD patients. We assume that PD patients, who were found to be in a higher educational level, are more caring for their oral health as compared to HD patients

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion