CD79A and thalassemia: Al-Wahdani stated that there was no clear link between thalassemia major and periodontal disease, but that the prevalence of caries increased significantly in these patients.26 Siamopoulou also found that the reduction of IgA in the saliva and increase of proliferation of oral bacteria was effective in increasing the DMFT of these patients.27 Buczkowska and Lopez, meanwhile, claimed that low calcium concentrations in the saliva were effective in increasing the rate of tooth decay.