title: An efficacious oral health care protocol for immunocompromised patients.
abstract: A twice-weekly oral and perioral examination was provided to 120 patients receiving antineoplastic therapy. Sixty patients were monitored while following the traditional hospital oral care protocol (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, thymol glycol, benzocaine mouthrinse, and nystatin). The mouth care protocol was then changed (experimental protocol = chlorhexidine, benzocaine lozenges, amphotericin B lozenges), and patients were monitored until the sample size matched that of the hospital mouth care regime. There was a statistically significant reduction in oral complications upon introduction and maintenance of the experimental protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Arendorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000379:methods*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes; D000666:Amphotericin B; D002710:Chlorhexidine