Insufficient Oral Behaviour and the High Need for Periodontal Treatment in Patients with Heart Insufficiency and after Heart Transplantation: A Need for Special Care Programs?

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was the assessment of dental behaviour and oral health condition of heart transplant recipients (HTx) in comparison to patients with heart insufficiency (HI).

Methods: Patients attending the Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Center, Germany were recruited. Standardized questionnaires regarding dental behaviour and periodontal complaints were applied. A dental (decayed-, missing- and filled-teeth index) and periodontal examination (periodontal probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL)) was performed. Based on the oral findings, dental and periodontal treatment need was determined.

Statistics: T-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Fisher-test ( < 0.05).

Results: A total of 201 patients (HTx: 112, HI: 89) were included. HTx patients were significantly more often allocated to dentists ( < 0.01). Furthermore, the HTx patients rated feeling informed appropriately about oral health more often ( < 0.01). HTx patients used interdental cleaning ( < 0.01) and mouth rinse ( = 0.02) more often than HI patients. No differences between groups were present regarding dental status and periodontitis severity ( > 0.05). Periodontal treatment need was high, showing prevalence of 79.5% (HTx) and 87.6% (HI, = 0.14), respectively.

Conclusions: Both groups show insufficient oral behaviour and a high need for periodontal treatment. Special care programs for HTx candidates and recipients appear recommendable.