DENTAL TREATMENT NEEDS FOR ELIMINATION OF ORAL INFECTION SOURCES IN PATIENTS SCHEDULED FOR HIP AND KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Dana Nicoleta Mihai, Paul Dan Sirbu, Liliana Savin, Norin Forna, Cristina Dascălu, Norina Forna

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.2.17.20

Abstract

Aim of study was to assess the dental treatment needs for elimination of oral infectious sites related to sociodemographics and individual factors in patients scheduled for hip/knee arthroplasty. Materials and method. This cross-sectional study included 51 patients over the age of 50, scheduled for primary hip or knee arthroplasty at the Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital in Iași, Romania, who underwent complete dental evaluation according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The need for dental treatments was categorized by type of intervention, including periodontal therapy, endodontic treatment, tooth extractions, and prosthetic adjustments. Results. Endodontic and periodontal infections, along with misfitted fixed prosthetic restorations, were significantly more frequent in male, rural, and non-obese patients, indicating disparities in oral health status across sociodemographic groups (p < 0.001). Patients aged 50–65 years and those with hip osteoarthritis or systemic comorbidities demonstrated a higher need for dental interventions addressing chronic oral infections prior to arthroplasty (p < 0.001). Smoking, poor oral hygiene, and systemic conditions were consistently associated with a greater prevalence of oral infectious sources, reinforcing the need for targeted dental screening in these high-risk groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The need for dental treatments targeting the elimination of oral infectious sources in patients awaiting hip or knee arthroplasty is significantly influenced by sociodemographic and systemic factors. Variables such as male sex, rural residence, smoking, and the presence of systemic comorbidities were associated with a higher prevalence of untreated infections, underscoring the importance of individualized dental screening and intervention protocols prior to orthopedic surgery.