ORAL HEALTH IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASES

Abstract

SUMMARY: In most of the patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, the disease progression to liver cirrhosis and a liver transplantation is necessary. Untreated oral diseases (including dental problems) can lead to infections and sepsis and may cause many complications in transplanted patients and a prerequisite dental evaluation is usually recommended for potential organ transplant candidates. Our aim was to determine the dental status in patients with chronic liver disease, knowing that liver transplant will be a life choices. INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B and C are potentially life-threatening liver infections caused by the hepatitis B and C virus. It is a major health problem, as some of the patients with hepatitis C infection progress to cirrhosis (5). It is considered that more than any other profession, dental practitioners and dental staff are involved in transmitting hepatitis virus B or C to their patients. In most of the patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, because of disease progression to liver cirrhosis, a liver transplantation is necessary. Untreated oral diseases (including dental problems) can lead to infections and sepsis and may cause many complications in transplanted patients (2,4). In the literature bacterial sepsis is the most common cause of deaths, after transplantation, occurring during the first postoperative months and the risk of infection also increased by the over-immunosuppression of these patients. A potential source of infection may be dental foci (1) Regarding these problems, patients being prepared for liver transplantation should be evaluated for their dental health. (2,4), to avoid and reduce adverse complications after transplantation.