Table 4 Number and percentages who strongly agree/agree regarding the functions of saliva, factors which can cause oral dryness and consequences of oral dryness
Question | Dentists | Dental hygienists | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
n (%) | n (%) | ||
What are the functions of saliva? | |||
Prevents dehydration of oral mucosa | 239 (99.2) | 255 (99.2) | 1.000 |
Antimicrobial effect | 223 (92.5) | 216 (84.0) | 0.003 |
Regulates pH | 236 (97.9) | 253 (98.4) | 0.745 |
Affects oral microbiome | 223 (92.5) | 221 (86.0) | 0.019 |
Has lubricating effect | 239 (99.2) | 256 (99.6) | 0.613 |
Protects oral mucosa | 237 (98.3) | 255 (99.2) | 0.437 |
Cleanses the oral cavity from food debris | 218 (90.5) | 246 (95.7) | 0.020 |
Facilitates swallowing | 238 (98.8) | 256 (99.6) | 0.358 |
Facilitates chewing | 228 (94.6) | 246 (95.7) | 0.562 |
Affects articulation of speech | 217 (90.0) | 244 (94.9) | 0.037 |
What can cause oral dryness? | |||
Sjögren’s syndrome | 240 (99.6) | 253 (98.4) | 0.374 |
Parkinson’s disease | 133 (55.2) | 167 (65.0) | 0.026 |
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 | 116 (48.1) | 149 (58.0) | 0.028 |
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 | 239 (99.2) | 256 (99.6) | 0.613 |
Medication | 241 (100) | 255 (99.2) | 0.5 |
Radiotherapy head/neck | 240 (99.6) | 247 (96.1) | 0.008 |
HIV/AIDS | 84 (34.9) | 104 (40.5) | 0.197 |
Cystic Fibrosis | 100 (41.5) | 111 (43.2) | 0.702 |
Depression and anxiety | 187 (77.6) | 226 (87.9) | 0.002 |
Rheumatic diseases | 156 (64.7) | 175 (68.1) | 0.427 |
What complications can oral dryness cause? | |||
Increased caries risk | 241 (100) | 256 (99.6) | 1.000 |
Difficulty speaking | 200 (83.0) | 240 (93.4) | < 0.001 |
Difficulty swallowing/chewing | 228 (94.6) | 251 (97.7) | 0.075 |
Increased risk of oral mucosal changes | 174 (72.2) | 195 (75.9) | 0.349 |
Difficulty in wearing dentures | 239 (99.2) | 256 (99.6) | 0.613 |
Affects general health | 184 (76.3) | 215 (83.7) | 0.041 |
Quality of life is affected | 226 (93.8) | 246 (95.7) | 0.33 |
Affects well-being | 216 (89.6) | 242 (94.2) | 0.063 |
Nutritional deficiency | 126 (52.3) | 155 (60.3) | 0.071 |
Bad breath | 213 (88.4) | 242 (94.2) | 0.022 |
Altered taste perception | 224 (92.9) | 235 (91.4) | 0.532 |