Dental caries and dental health behavior of patients with primary Sjogren syndrome

This comprehensive study was carried out to describe and analyze the oral h ealth status, perceived oral health problems, patients' costs; and oral hea lth behavior in a group of patients with primary Sjogren syndrome (PSS). In particular, the objective of this report was to assess whether Sjogren syn drome patients had more dental caries experience than a control group. Data were collected by means of interviews and clinical oral examinations. The study comprised 53 patients with PSS and a control group of 53 persons matc hed by age. Among the younger patients the number of decayed, missing, or f illed teeth (DMFT) was 22.3, compared with 18.8 among controls (P < 0.05). In parallel, the DMFT in the old-age PSS patients nas 26.2, against a DMFT of 22.1 for controls (P < 0.001). On average, the young patients had seven teeth missing, whereas two missing teeth were found among controls (P < 0.0 1). PSS patients had more frequent dental visits-every 3-4 months (40%)-tha n controls (19%). In parallel, 78% of the PSS patients brushed their teeth more than twice daily, compared with 28% of the control group. The PSS pati ent group reported having had more teeth extracted, more trouble with their teeth during lifetime, and higher-expenses for dental treatment than contr ols. In spite of the more regular oral health care practices than the gener al population, PSS patients had experienced more dental caries and more rad ical dental treatment. It is suggested that the National Health Insurance s hould give emphasis to preventive care to patients with PSS.