Factors associated with regular dental visits among hemodialysis patients

Abstract

AIM

To investigate awareness and attitudes about preventive dental visits among dialysis patients; to clarify the barriers to visiting the dentist.

METHODS

Subjects included 141 dentate outpatients receiving hemodialysis treatment at two facilities, one with a dental department and the other without a dental department. We used a structured questionnaire to interview participants about their awareness of oral health management issues for dialysis patients, perceived oral symptoms and attitudes about dental visits. Bivariate analysis using the χ² test was conducted to determine associations between study variables and regular dental check-ups. Binominal logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with regular dental check-ups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in patient demographics between the two participating facilities, including attitudes about dental visits. Therefore, we included all patients in the following analyses. Few patients (4.3%) had been referred to a dentist by a medical doctor or nurse. Although 80.9% of subjects had a primary dentist, only 34.0% of subjects received regular dental check-ups. The most common reasons cited for not seeking dental care were that visits are burdensome and a lack of perceived need. Patients with gum swelling or bleeding were much more likely to be in the group of those not receiving routine dental check-ups (χ² test, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that receiving dental check-ups was associated with awareness that oral health management is more important for dialysis patients than for others and with having a primary dentist (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dialysis patients should be educated about the importance of preventive dental care. Medical providers are expected to participate in promoting dental visits among dialysis patients.

Keywords: Hemodialysis; Questionnaire; Oral health; Dental visit; Health management

Core tip: We investigated dialysis patients’ awareness and attitudes about preventive dental visits, and tried to clarify the barriers to visiting the dentist. Subjects included 141 dentate outpatients receiving hemodialysis treatment. We interviewed participants using a structured questionnaire. The common reasons dialysis patients cited for not seeking dental care were lack of concern and/or lack of awareness of the importance of preventive dental visits. Medical practitioners rarely refer dialysis patients for dental care. Our findings suggest that dialysis patients should be educated about the importance of preventive dental care. Medical providers are expected to participate in promoting dental visits among dialysis patients.