Oral health status of children with kidney diseases. Literature review

Chronic kidney disease in children has multifaceted manifestations, impacting multiple aspects of overall health, including the oral cavity. The literature (clinical trials, case reports, meta‑analysis, systematic review) on oral health in children with chronic kidney disease over the past 15 years was analysed. An extensive search strategy was employed across multiple databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Oral manifestations, dental examination and treatment problems associated with haemodialysis and kidney transplantation are covered. Chronic kidney diseases are characterized by a range of clinical and laboratory abnormalities, resulting from the renal impaired ability to excrete metabolic waste and to fulfill their endocrine functions, including the production of active vitamin D and erythropoietin. In pediatric patients, chronic kidney disease may give rise to a variety of oral manifestations affecting both hard and soft tissues. These include pallor of the oral mucosa, dental calculus accumulation, enamel hypoplasia, xerostomia, low level of caries, poor oral hygiene, uremic stomatitis, and changes in saliva composition and volume. Among the other important clinical manifestations of kidney diseases in children, there is enamel hypoplasia, dental caries, delayed tooth eruption, gingival and periodontal disease, disorders of maxillofacial development, and alterations in bone density. These findings were synthesized, organized, and presented in a clear and structured manner within this review article. The compiled data were interpreted and discussed in relation to current scientific knowledge, with particular attention to their clinical implications for pediatric dentists managing children with renal pathology. The review also explores the practical applications of these findings in clinical settings and outlines directions for future research in this interdisciplinary area.