Evaluation of Oral Health in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

Background/Objectives: Oral health may be affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) through mechanisms including uremic toxin accumulation, immune dysregulation, and treatment-related factors, although these relationships remain poorly understood. This study aimed to describe oral health according to CKD stages (2–5) and to explore its association with disease progression, as well as one-year changes in oral, renal, and inflammatory parameters and oral health–related quality of life. Methods: The NephroDent study is a prospective cohort study including patients with non-dialysis CKD stages 2 to 5. Oral, clinical, and biological parameters and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after one year. Baseline characteristics were compared across CKD stages, and changes were analyzed according to self-reported dental care. Results: Eighty-seven patients were included. Oral health impairment was observed across all CKD stages, including stages 2 and 3, with substantial periodontal treatment needs and periodontal pockets ≥ 6 mm. Dental and periodontal parameters varied across stages, with some indicators showing numerically poorer values in stages 4–5, but no significant differences were observed between CKD stages. Over one year, changes in oral health indices, renal function (eGFR), inflammatory markers, and quality of life did not differ significantly according to dental care. Conclusions: Oral health impairment was observed across all CKD stages, including early disease, despite preserved quality of life. No significant short-term association was found between dental care and changes in oral or systemic parameters. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of oral health in CKD progression.