Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE
Volume 12, Issue 3, Pages 180-186Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/idh.12056
Keywords
adapted devices; epidemiologic methods; mental health; oral hygiene; scleroderma
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Funding
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research [1R21DE017360-01A2]
- Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health [P60 AR049459]
- South Carolina Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Oral Health
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) [P20 RR-017696]
- South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina's CTSA, NIH/NCRR [UL1RR029882]
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Objective: To identify factors associated with oral hygiene practices in adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 178 dentate adults with SSc received an oral examination which included measurement of oral aperture, assessment of manual dexterity to perform oral hygiene, as well as completion of the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale and an oral health-related questionnaire. Results: Multivariable logistic regression modelling showed male, minority and high CES-D scores (i.e. clinically significant symptoms of depression) were associated with less likelihood of participants brushing teeth at least twice daily, but the presence of self-reported dry mouth symptoms increased the likelihood of toothbrushing. Having a dental visit in the past 12 months and use of an adapted flossing or interdental cleaning device were significantly associated with daily dental flossing; however, having difficulty flossing teeth reduced the likelihood of daily flossing. Conclusions: Overall, demographic variables were strongly associated with toothbrushing frequency, whereas flossing self-efficacy and barriers were strongly associated with dental flossing frequency in adults with SSc. The results suggest that dental health professionals should take mental health into consideration when educating patients with SSc to improve their oral hygiene and consider making referrals for patients exhibiting suspected clinically significant depressive symptoms to mental health professionals for further evaluation and treatment. In addition, an appropriate adapted flossing or interdental cleaning device should be recommended to increase dental flossing practices in this patient population.
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