Dental health status of liver transplant candidates

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Dental health status of liver transplant candidates

Guggenheimer, Bijan Eghtesad, M. Close,

Shay, J. Fung

Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of

Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA - E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh,

Pittsburgh, PA - Transplant Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH

Dental Public Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Abstract

A

prerequisite dental evaluation is usually recommended for potential organ

transplant candidates. This is based on the premise

that untreated dental disease may pose a risk for infection and sepsis, although

there is no evidence that this has occurred in organ transplant candidates or

recipients. The

purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental disease and oral

health behaviors in a sample of liver transplant candidates (LTCs). Oral

examinations were conducted on 300 LTCs for the

presence of gingivitis, dental plaque, dental caries, periodontal disease, edentulism, and xerostomia. The prevalence of these conditions was compared with

oral health data from national health surveys and examined for possible

associations with most recent dental visit, smoking, and type of liver

disease. Significant risk factors for plaque-related

gingivitis included intervals of more than 1 yr since the last dental visit (P = 0.004), smoking (P = 0.03), and diuretic therapy (P = 0.005). Dental

caries and periodontal disease were also significantly associated with

intervals of more than 1 yr since the last dental visit (P = 0.004). LTCs with viral hepatitis or alcoholic cirrhosis had the

highest smoking rate (78.8%). Higher rates of edentulism occurred among older LTCs

who were less likely to have had a recent dental evaluation (mean 88 months). In conclusion, intervals of more than 1 yr since the

last dental visit, smoking, and diuretic therapy appear to be the most

significant determinants of dental disease and the need for a pretransplantation dental screening evaluation in LTCs. Liver Transpl 13:280-286, 2007. ©

2007 AASLD.

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