Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Mar 11;9(1):11.
doi: 10.1038/s41405-023-00136-w.

Oral care considerations for people with cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional qualitative study

Niamh Coffey  1 , Fiona O' Leary  2 , Francis Burke  2 , Barry Plant  3 , Anthony Roberts  2 , Martina Hayes  4   5
Affiliations

Oral care considerations for people with cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional qualitative study

Niamh Coffey et al. BDJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the attitudes of adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) towards dental attendance and any perceived barriers to treatment.

Methods: A cross sectional survey in the form of a structured, anonymous questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding adults with CF's feelings towards dentists and dental treatment. The final version of the questionnaire was based on a collaborative effort between researchers at Cork University Dental School and Hospital and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient advocates from CF Ireland. Participants were recruited via CF Ireland's mailing list and social media channels. The responses underwent descriptive statistical analysis and inductive thematic analysis.

Results: A total of 71 people (33 Male: 38 Female) over the age of 18 living with CF in the Republic of Ireland responded to the survey. 54.9% of respondents were unhappy with their teeth. 63.4% felt that CF had an impact on oral health. 33.8% were anxious about attending their dentist. Respondents believed that CF has impacted on their oral health due to the medications and dietary requirements involved, as well as tiredness and other side effects of CF. Reasons for being anxious about attending the dentist included cross infection concerns, issues with the dentist, with tolerating treatment, and with the teeth themselves. Respondents wanted dentists to be aware of the practicalities of dental treatment for people with CF, especially their discomfort with lying back. They also want the dentist to be aware of the impact that their medication, treatment and diet has on their oral health.

Conclusions: Over one third of adults with CF reported anxiety about attending the dentist. Reasons for this included fear, embarrassment, cross infection concerns and problems with treatment, especially being in the supine position. Adults with CF want dentists to be aware of the impact that CF can have upon dental treatment and oral health care.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

References

    1. Merjaneh L, Hasan S, Kasim N, Ode KL. The role of modulators in cystic fibrosis related diabetes. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2022;27:100286. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ronan NJ, Elborn JS, Plant BJ. Current and emerging comorbidities in cystic fibrosis. La Presse Médicale. 2017;46:e125–e38. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2017.05.011. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ramos KJ, Smith PJ, McKone EF, Pilewski JM, Lucy A, Hempstead SE, et al. Lung transplant referral for individuals with cystic fibrosis: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation consensus guidelines. J Cyst Fibros. 2019;18:321–33. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2019.03.002. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. McBennett KA, Davis PB, Konstan MW. Increasing life expectancy in cystic fibrosis: Advances and challenges. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022;57:S5–s12. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25733. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Scotet V, L’Hostis C, Férec C. The Changing Epidemiology of Cystic Fibrosis: Incidence, Survival and Impact of the CFTR Gene Discovery. Genes (Basel) 2020;11:589. doi: 10.3390/genes11060589. - DOI - PMC - PubMed