Elucidation of environmental factors associated with dental visits among hemodialysis patients

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25463246
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Social dentistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIOKA Masami 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部, 准教授 (90243708)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SHIRAYAMA Yasuhiko 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部, 教授 (40434542) ; IMOTO Issei 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部, 教授 (30258610) ; HINODE Daisuke 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部, 教授 (70189801) ; YANAGISAWA Shizuko 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部, 講師 (10350927)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 透析患者 / 透析実施医療機関 / 医科歯科連携 / 全国調査 / 歯科受診 / アンケート調査 / リーフレット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We performed nationwide survey on the collaborative relationship between dialysis facilities and dental facilities. It revealed that most dialysis facilities have neither an in-house dental department nor a collaborative relationship with a registered dental clinic. Registration of dental clinics appears to promote collaboration with dental facilities on a routine basis. We also investigated awareness and attitudes about preventive dental visits, and tried to clarify the barriers to visiting the dentist. We found that the common reasons dialysis patients cited for not seeking dental care were lack of concern and/or lack of awareness of the importance of preventive dental visits. Medical practitioners rarely refer dialysis patients for dental care.
To promote preventive dental care, we prepared leaflets towards medical/dental professionals and dialysis patients, and proposed a system, in which medical practitioners refer dialysis patients to a primary dentist.

Free Research Field

口腔衛生学