Management of mucositis in bone marrow transplant patients.
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has become the treatment of choice for many diseases that affect the production of stem cells and elements of the immune system. The transplant recipients usually present oral problems because of the severe immunodepression caused by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The oral problems can be very debilitating and life-threatening, increasing the length of hospital stay and treatment costs, and affecting the patient's comfort. This article discusses the important role dental hygienists can play to increase the patient's quality of life during this difficult period.
da Fonseca
M A
MA
Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, USA.
D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011788:Quality of Life; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*