OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess oral health in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) living in Austria.

METHODS: Data collection was conducted with an online questionnaire, including when possible validated tools, covering general medical history, socioeconomic factors, IBD-related parameters, and various oral health parameters, that is, tooth loss rate, prevalence of severe periodontitis, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and presence of oral lesions. The questionnaire was disseminated to the members of the Austrian Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis Association.

RESULTS: The analysis included the responses of 327 patients (68% female; average age 46 years), 134 with ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified, and 193 with Crohn's disease (CD). Based on self-reported data, about 85% of the patients reported intake of an IBD-related medication and about two thirds of the responders reported some IBD activity in the past 12 months. Approximately 24% of the patients had < 20 remaining teeth, 34% had severe periodontitis, and 7% reported poor OHRQoL. IBD diagnosis did not affect the odds for having < 20 teeth or self-reported severe periodontitis, but patients with CD presented more frequently with poor OHRQoL. In addition, patients with CD received more frequently information from their physician on the possibility of oral lesions due to IBD; however, > 50% of all patients indicated not having any problems with oral lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: Oral health remains inadequately addressed in patients with IBD despite the significant need for dental care. Hence, treating physicians should motivate patients with IBD to inform their dentist about their diagnosis and to maintain regular dental checkups.