Oral Health Needs Assessment of Sjogren's Syndrome and Salivary Gland Dysfunction Cohorts and Healthy Volunteers - Evaluating Oral Health Disparities as Determinants of Oral Health in a High-risk Population

Objective:

Determinants of health, particularly oral health, have not been evaluated in the context of Sjogren s Syndrome (SS) and other salivary gland dysfunctions. It is known that the quantitative and qualitative changes in salivary flow that occur in SS place those with this complex autoimmune disorder at increased risk of dental caries, oral infections, mucosal ulceration, salivary gland enlargement and functional impairment. There is conflicting evidence on the risk of periodontal disease in this population. Furthermore, it has been reported that this population experiences a greater number of dental visits, decayed teeth, and dental restorations in the preceding year, and have a 2-3 fold increased annual out-of pocket dental care expenditure compared to those without SS. Moreover, the oral and dental needs of those with SS have not been quantified in the context of oral health disparities, i.e., by strata of vulnerable groups. Those with other salivary gland dysfunction such as Sicca and those who have signs and symptoms of salivary gland dysfunction that only partially fulfill the classification criteria for SS, also known as incomplete SS (ISS), have neither been assessed for oral health needs nor have oral health disparities been ascertained in this high-risk population.

Study Population:

We will enroll adults classified as SS, Sicca, ISS, as well healthy volunteers as well as those excluded by the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SS. Therefore, the aims of this study are to:

1. Ascertain the oral health needs of those with SS, Sicca, and ISS in comparison with healthy volunteers (HV)
2. Identify oral health disparities in this high-risk population (SS, Sicca, ISS) in comparison with HV.