Oral health status and navigation of care among first nations peoples with kidney failure in South Australia

First Nations peoples in Australia experience a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases such as kidney disease and chronic gum disease or periodontitis. This study aims to describe a relationship between periodontal disease and kidney failure in a cohort of First Nations peoples in South Australia. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted, involving the recruitment of First Nations adults from South Australia who had been diagnosed with kidney failure. The participants underwent clinical oral examinations, which included assessments of dentate and periodontal status, using the CDC/AAP 2012 and AAP/EFP 2018 classifications. Periodontitis was reported if detectable interdental attachment loss at two or more non-adjacent teeth, or buccal/oral attachment loss ≥ 4 mm with pocketing > 4 mm at two or more teeth was observed. Furthermore, a structured, validated self-report questionnaire was administered to collect data on general health conditions and oral health behaviours. A total of 36 participants were enrolled in the study; the average age was 57.4 years, including 15 (41.6%) edentulous and 21 (58.3%) partially dentate individuals. All partially dentate participants were diagnosed with periodontitis. Over a third of participants (37.1%) self-rated their oral health as very good or good. Findings indicate a high burden of edentulous or severe periodontal disease amongst First Nations peoples with kidney failure. Integrating oral health care into primary kidney disease management strategies could mitigate health-related disparities and reduce adverse oral health outcomes among individuals with kidney disease.