Self-perception of periodontal health status among individuals with Fanconi anemia

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients' Self-perception of Periodontal Diseases

OBJECTIVES

 The study aimed to evaluate type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients' self-perceived periodontal health status and to identify the association between periodontal disease (PD) and DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 This cross-sectional study included 113 T1DM children between 3 and 18 years old from the Universiti Teknologi MARA and the University of Malaya. Periodontal health parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, simplified basic periodontal examination, and clinical attachment loss, were recorded. Self-perceived periodontal health status was assessed with questionnaires.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

 Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity of the questionnaire and the relationship between T1DM and periodontal parameters.

RESULTS

 The median age was 11.4 years. Half of them (50.4%) were females. A total of 83.5% rated their oral condition as good, whereas 27.5% reported a history of gingival bleeding. Clinical examination revealed that 48.7% had healthy gingiva, whereas 47.8% had gingivitis. The question "Do you have bleeding when brushing, flossing, or eating food?" showed good accuracy in the evaluation of PD (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

 The questionnaire has a high potential to be used by medical professionals in identifying T1DM patients at risk of PD to guide nondental health care providers in making appropriate referrals to dental services.

Relationship between the Social Development Index and Self-Reported Periodontal Conditions

Inequalities in oral health are influenced by the social strata of the population. Few studies have focused on the multitude of factors related to social development as indicators of living conditions and periodontal health status. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between self-reported periodontal conditions and the Social Development Index (SDI). A cross-sectional validated questionnaire was carried out among 1294 Mexican adults. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the best predictors of self-reported periodontal conditions. Bone loss reporting was used as a proxy for the presence of periodontal disease. We found that higher global scores on the SDI and quality and available space in the home (QASH) increase the probability of having bone loss. Global SDI (OR = 7.27) and higher QASH (OR = 3.66) were indeed the leading societal factors related to periodontal disease. These results have pointed out how SDI and its indicators, in particular QASH, can be used to further explore inequities related to privileged access to dental care in the context of periodontal diseases.

Oral and Dental Manifestations of Fanconi Anemia

Fanconi anemia is a rare disease, which is characterized by decreased production of all blood cell types. Fanconi anemia is the most common inherited form of aplastic anemia. Congenital abnormalities of the eyes, ears, and heart, malformed or absent kidney, urogenital system involvement are common. There is a delay in physical development. Intelligence in patients with Fanconi anemia is usually normal. The most serious problems associated with Fanconi anemia include the gradual development of bone marrow disorders. Many patients with Fanconi anemia develop leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, as well as other oncological diseases. Oral manifestations in patients with Fanconi anemia can be classified as gingivitis, periodontitis, dental caries, dental anomalies, soft tissue lesions, oral cancer, and lesions of the tongue. Patients with Fanconi anemia have increased predisposition to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and oral cancer. The interdisciplinary team of medical and dental specialists must be included in the medical and dental treatment of patients with Fanconi anemia. For proper dental care of patients with Fanconi anemia, the close cooperation of dental specialists, including orthodontists, pedodontists, prosthetists, oral surgeons, as well as specialists in periodontology and oral diseases, is of particular importance.