ABSTRACT
Considering the importance of dental health of patients' receiving dialysis and necessity of dentists and health officials' more attention to decisions and planning for such patients, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and status of tooth decay and gum diseases in dialysis patients in Red Crescent Center of Tehranpars. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 69 adult HD patients were evaluated in Red Crescent Center of Tehranpars by sampling in 2006. Data was collected through observation; interview and examination. The dental health status of patients was undertaken, in addition to their clinical and demographic characteristic.According to the results, the mean [SD] of DMF was 17/2 +/- 9/9 in all cases and were 11/44 +/- 2/6 in dentate ones; the mean of NIDCR was 34/5 +/- 25/4; also%45/8 of edentulous patients used of prosthetic devices at night; 54/2% of edentulous patients had mobility prosthesis in the lower jaw; 37/5% of the edentulous patients were with denture stomatitis lesions in the upper jaw. Regarding the furcation-involved teeth 41/5% and 26/8% of respondents had grade I and II respectively. Statistically, there was no significant correlation between furcation-involvement and duration of dialysis [P=0.654]. Given the dental plaque, 11/1% of patients had no calculus, 88/9% and 62/2% of participants had sub gingival calculus and supra gingival calculus respectively. About a third, brush their teeth sometimes or infrequently; and a half of the respondents brush their teeth horizontally. At the end, no significant correlation was observed between DS in upper jaw and using of prosthetic devices at night. Due to antibacterial properties of saliva urea in these patients, kidney disease and dialysis has no effect on tooth decay and will not exacerbate the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to do further studies comprehensively regarding dietary and drug regimens