Oral health beliefs amongst patients with congenital bleeding disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Oral health beliefs amongst patients with congenital bleeding disorders
IRAS ID
153155
Contact name
Blánaid Daly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
A congenital bleeding disorder (CBD) is a life-long condition characterised by prolonged bleeding caused by a deficiency or absence of factors which make the blood clot. People with CBD may experience bleeds spontaneously or as a result of trauma. Bleeds may occur into the soft tissues, organs, joints and muscles, nose and more rarely the mouth. Central to living with and managing the condition is the prevention of trauma and the early recognition and management of a bleed.
Gingivitis is a term describing redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums around the teeth. It is caused by a microbial biofilm called plaque which is associated with developing gum disease and dental decay. Plaque forms if regular tooth-brushing is neglected . The consequences of dental decay and gum disease in people with CBD can be very serious particularly if there is a need to extract teeth. Yet there is evidence that people living with CBD take less care of their teeth, have poorer oral hygiene and dental health compared to the general population . Recent research suggests that people with CBD attribute plaque induced gingivitis to their CBD rather than to poor or inadequate oral hygiene. Paradoxically rather than seek care they neglect the bleed.
There is a clear need for dental health education amongst people living with CBD. In order to design dental health education it is important to know and understand what people with CBD believe about gum disease and the impact on their oral health related behaviours and related quality of life. It is this information gap which the proposed study is intended to address.
All patients attending the Haemophilia clinics at St Thomas’ Hospital (GSST) from Jan 2015 until June 2015 will be invited to take part in the study and we aim to recruit at least N=40 patients. Participation will involve completing a structured interview (10 minutes)REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1234
Date of REC Opinion
4 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion