Caries experience of leukemic children during intensive course of chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of dental caries in 64 leukemic children who received dental treatment before the initiation of chemotherapy and had intensive oral care during the course.


METHODS
Caries experience (deft/DMFT), white-spot lesions (enamel demineralization), premature primary molar extractions and carious first permanent molars were investigated before and after intensive therapy.


METHODS
Pediatric Dental Care Unit and Department of Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Uludağ University.


RESULTS
The dental caries level was insignificantly higher following chemotherapy compared to the initial caries level. However the prevalence of white-spot lesions was significantly increased during the course. Caries level in 30 subjects (47%) remained stable.


CONCLUSIONS
Caries level in leukemic children, who were not caries-free before chemotherapy, could be stabilized by caries prevention methods such as frequent topical fluoride applications and fissure sealants, intensive oral care and improved self-care practices.
Cubukçu
Cigdem Elbek
CE
Pediatric Dental Care Unit, Uluda University, Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey. dcelbek@yahoo.com
Güneş
Adalet Meral
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents