Sickle cell disease does not predispose to caries or periodontal disease

• Published in: Special care in dentistry Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 55 - 60
• Main Authors: Passos, Cristina Pinho, Santos, Poliana Ramos Braga, Aguiar, Márcio Cajazeira, Cangussu, Maria Cristina Teixeira, Toralles, Maria Betánia Pereira, da Silva, Maria Christina Bahiana Olympio, Nascimento, Roberto José Meyer, Campos, Maria Isabela Guimarães
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-03-2012; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Anemia, Sickle Cell - epidemiology; Brazil - epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; dental caries; Dental Caries - epidemiology; Dental Devices, Home Care - statistics & numerical data; Dentistry; DMF Index; Female; Health Behavior; Hemoglobin SC Disease - epidemiology; Hemoglobin, Sickle - analysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Health; periodontal disease; Periodontal Diseases - epidemiology; Periodontal Index; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Sickle cell anemia; Sickle cell disease; Smoking - epidemiology; Social Class; Young Adult; Brazil
• ISSN: 0275-1879; 1754-4505
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2012.00235.x

ABSTRACT 
This study investigated the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal condition in a population with sickle cell disease (SCD), analyzing some associations with disease severity. The Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index (DMFT) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were recorded for 99 individuals with SCD and 91 matched controls. Socio‐demographic status, oral health behaviors, and history of clinical severity of SCD were assessed. Statistical comparisons were performed between the group with SCD and the control group, as well as multivariate logistic regression analyses with DMFT index and CPI as the dependent variables. The mean number of decayed teeth was significantly higher in individuals with HbSS. Older age, female gender, and daily smoking were identified as risk factors for higher DMFT, while older age and absence of daily use of dental floss were risk factors for the development of periodontal disease. In conclusion, risk factors known to cause caries and periodontal disease had more influence on oral health than the direct impact of SCD.