RESUMO
The primary purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the oral health and gingival status of individuals undergoing renal dialysis in Qazvin province. One hundred eighty Iranian patients on hemodialysis participated in the study, and were divided into three subgroups: 1] those who have been on renal dialysis for less than one year; 2] those on renal dialysis for 1 to 3 years; and 3] those on renal dialysis for longer than 3 years. Four dental indices: the debris index [DI]; the calculus index [CI]; the plaque index [PI] and the gingival index [GI] were used. Data were complied and analyzed by using 1-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The results of this study showed 100% [n=180] of the individuals undergoing renal dialysis were suffering from mild to moderate gingivitis. The means of debris index was 1.65, 2.07, and 2.15, with SD+ 0.67, 0.47 and 0.48 respectively for the subgroups. The means of plaque index were 1.72, 2.16 and 2.26 with SD+ 0.64, 0.36 and 0.42 respectively for the revealed groups. The means of calculus index were 1.58, 2.02 and 2.09, withSD+0.58, 0.28and 0.39 respectively for the subgroups. The means of gingival index were 1.43, 2.97 and 0.06 with SD+ 0.67, 0.38 and 0.35 for the subgroups respectively. Tukey's post hoc test showed significant difference in all indices between the first and second subgroups, and between the first and third subgroups, while no significant difference was found between second and third subgroups. It was concluded that periodontal disease was present in renal dialysis patients who showed unacceptable level of oral hygiene and which may increase the illness. Finding led to the conclusion that the renal dialysis population in Qazvin Province, regardless of length of time on dialysis, was in need of comprehensive professional oral care and self-care instructions