Abstract
Purpose: Candidates and recipients of kidney transplants are at high risk for oral infections due to systemic co-morbidities, and disease and drug-induced immunosuppression. Developing oral infections while on the waiting list can jeopardize candidacy for receiving a kidney, and post-operatively increases the chance for organ rejection. Therefore, it is imperative to minimize oral disease risks in this population. A comprehensive, oral preventive care protocol is presented to guide dental professionals with patient management throughout the process of care. Proper dental and dental hygiene care can help to prevent oral infections, optimize oral health, and enhance overall health and quality of life for the renal transplant population.
Footnotes
Ursula Reyes, RDH, MS, is a clinical instructor in the Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences, and Dental Hygiene at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD is a Professor and Director of Research, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, and formerly Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Phuu Pwint Han, DDS, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry in the Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.
This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Clinical Dental Hygiene Care: Investigate how dental hygienists use emerging science to reduce risk in susceptible patients (risk reduction strategies).
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