Examining the Research Gap in Periodontal Disease Management in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in South West Nigeria

Sickle cell disease creates specific oral health risks including periodontal disease through immunocompromise and vascular insufficiency, yet this intersection is inadequately studied in South West Nigerian populations where SCD prevalence is high. This study examined the research gap in periodontal disease management for patients with sickle cell disease in South West Nigeria through systematic literature review and original clinical data collection. A systematic scoping review of ten databases identified 18 publications from 2019 to 2024 on periodontal disease in SCD patients in sub-Saharan Africa, of which only 4 specifically examined Nigerian SCD populations and only 2 proposed management modifications for SCD patients. Original clinical research compared periodontal status between 80 SCD patients and 80 matched healthy controls attending the Haematology and Dental departments of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife. SCD patients showed significantly worse community periodontal index scores (p < 0.001) and higher bleeding on probing rates (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.74 to 5.61). Bone loss on panoramic radiographs was more prevalent in SCD patients. Anaemia severity correlated significantly with periodontal index scores. The study identifies critical gaps in SCD-specific scaling and root planing protocols, periodontal recall intervals, and pain management during periodontal procedures in SCD. Recommendations include a multidisciplinary SCD-oral health clinic at OAUTHC, prospective clinical trials of periodontal treatment timing in SCD, and MDCN-endorsed clinical guidelines for dental management of SCD patients. Keywords: sickle cell disease, periodontal disease, oral health, South West Nigeria, haematology dentistry