Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2013
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
14
Issue:
3

Dental care access of haemodialysis patients in a tertiary hospital

Doi: 10.4483/JDOH_23Chan06

Abstract The Aims and Objectives: Haemodialysis is a life saving treatment for patients with end stage renal disease. However, it is time demanding, and this may adversely affect oral care routines. Current literature suggests an association between poorer oral health and length of time of dialysis. This project aimed to investigate access to dental services among patients undergoing haemodialysis in the Royal London Hospital. Methodology: A questionnaire was distributed to patients during dialysis in the renal ward. This process was assisted by researchers who were present for information and clarity. Morning, afternoon and twilight dialysis shifts were covered and the demographic data obtained were compared against an existing database to ensure a good cohort representation; 162 patients participated in the study, only those who were in-patients undergoing haemodialysis at the Royal London Hospital renal ward. Results: 55.6% of the patients reported to have a dentist. 41.5% of patients had not visited a dentist for more than two years. Most visits were event-triggered and ‘no dental problem’ was the main reason for irregular dental attendance. Conclusions: Haemodialysis patients accessed dental services less than the national average. The main reason appeared to be a low perceived need among patients; and most did not feel haemodialysis was a hindrance to their dental visits. Dental examination should be considered in this cohort to determine their actual treatment need.

Key words: Haemodialysis, Special Care Dentistry, dental access

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
97
Page End
102
Authors
C Y F Chan, A Gunawan, R McGeoch, M Yaqoob

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. editorial.pdf
  2. 89
  3. 89

  1. Predictors for perceived need and demand for oral care in older patients with mental disorders
  2. 91
  3. 96

  1. Dental care access of haemodialysis patients in a tertiary hospital
  2. 97
  3. 102

  1. Cross-cultural adaptation of the iADH undergraduate curriculum learning outcomes in Special Care Dentistry
  2. 103
  3. 110

  1. Case reports: extraction of teeth in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia using the drug eltrombopag
  2. 111
  3. 113

  1. Diary Dates
  2. 118
  3. 118

2024 rates