BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR A GROUP OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH FUNCTIONAL THYROID PATHOLOGY

Authors: Elena Claudia SIN, Steliana Gabriela BUŞTIUC, Aureliana CARAIANE, Gheorghe RAFTU

Abstract:

Correct dental care habits, elimination of harmful behaviour and patients knowing that thyroid dysfunction can influence oral health, represent extremely important elements in regard to dento-periodontal affections prevention in people diagnosed with functional thyroid affections. The goal of the study was to record and quantify dental care habits, harmful behaviour and the knowledge degree of oral manifestations characteristic to the functional thyroid pathology in a group of adult patients diagnosed with functional thyroid pathology. The study was comprised of 30 patients randomly selected (28 women and 2 men, ages between 30 and 56) diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction. Each patient was given a questionnaire comprised of 17 questions. The study in question concluded that patients with functional thyroid pathology don’t hold basic knowledge in performing correct oro-dental hygiene. The majority of patients with functional thyroid pathology don’t use supplementary means of dental hygiene (dental floss, mouth wash). Over half of the patients have harmful eating habits in regards to the dento-periodontal state of health. Most patients diagnosed with functional thyroid pathology don’t know the fact that thyroid affection can influence oral health. Keywords: functional thyroid pathology, dental care.