Comparisons of periodontal status between females referenced for fertility treatment and fertile counterparts: A pilot case–control study

Studies investigating the periodontal status of women seeking fertility treatment have never been conducted. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the periodontal status among females referenced to a Fertility Clinic (FC) when compared to matched females from a representative regional epidemiological sample. Our secondary aims were to investigate if periodontal clinical measures differ between these two groups of females and how they impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). We enrolled 18 women from an FC and 18 age, race and body mass index matched controls from the epidemiological survey Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS). In each subject, we performed a circumferential periodontal inspection to infer the periodontal status and applied a questionnaire measuring OHRQoL. FC females presented higher levels of periodontal disease, with higher periodontal epithelial surface area, periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss. However, periodontal diseases did not impact OHRQoL in this particular group of women seeking fertility care, suggesting unawareness about periodontal diseases. Within the limitations of this study, females referenced for fertility treatment presented worse periodontal measures than females from a representative control sample. These preliminary results may support future prospective studies to further explore the periodontal status and possible consequences in women seeking fertility care.