THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL FOCI OF INFECTION IN RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

During the treatment of patients with renal failure or renal transplan ts the most important consideration is to eliminate sources of infecti on before and after the treatment. Acute or chronic oral infections or bacteraemias resulting from dental procedures may cause serious compl ications in these patients who already have lowered host resistance ca used by immunosuppressant therapy. In order to determine the latest co ncepts from some international transplantation centres relating to the importance of and the effect of infective sources in the oral cavity, a survey form was prepared which included several questions related t o oral foci of infection and renal transplantations. Results obtained from 22 centres from 12 countries indicated that the majority of the c entres included a dental examination in their routine protocol and req uired completion of any necessary dental treatment before transplantat ion. However, full agreement among all these centres on the necessity for dental examination as part of the protocol has not yet been reache d.