Organ Transplant and Oral Health

Filed in archive Cases , Miscellany on March 18, 2007

In lieu of March being the National Kidney Month and in advance for April being the Organ Donor's Awareness Month, the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) would like to inform the public of the following facts:

• Dental bacteria in the organ transplant recipient can lead to organ rejection. The dental hygienist is an excellent resource for removing oral bacteria effectively, and is the specialist when it comes to recommending the correct products (toothbrush, toothpaste, oral irrigators, and products to clean between the teeth) for our patients.


• Prior to an organ transplant, transplant candidates should be free of all infections in their body. The dental hygienist is trained to not only detect oral infection, but to identify potential signs of infection within the oral cavity.


• Organ transplant recipients often need assistance with nutritional counseling. Dental hygienists can recommend a proper diet that will benefit the patient's oral health in addition to the rest of the body.


• Many organ transplant recipients suffer from chronic dry mouth; dental hygienists are an excellent resource to recommend products that can alleviate the discomfort from this condition.


• Dental hygienists can be instrumental in the early detection of bone disease -- a condition is commonly seen in organ transplant recipients and known as secondary hyperparathyroidism and may be evident on dental x-rays.


• Dental bacteria that causes Gingivitis, gum disease and cavities can lead to an increased incidence of pneumonia in transplant recipients and those with compromised immune systems. The dental hygienist is a specialist in teaching patients how to keep their mouths healthy and free from infection.

Well I guess even those not in need of organ transplant should be reminded of regular oral check-up and hygiene.

Find more details from the full report.