The oral health needs of children after treatment for a solid tumour or lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
With increasing survival rates for childhood cancer, late effects are of growing importance. Oral health is central to general health, level of nutrition, quality of life, and is significant in the holistic care of children during cancer therapy.


OBJECTIVE
The oral health needs of children treated for solid tumours/lymphoma will be greater than the general population, groups will differ according to tumour and treatment.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty patients, 0-17 years, under follow-up from 01/07/06 to 07/02/07 were investigated for caries, opacities, microdontia, and gingivitis. Analysis was performed with stratification according to tumour and treatment. Comparisons made with the UK 2003 Child Dental Health Survey.


RESULTS
The neuroblastoma group and high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue (HDCSCR) therapy group had increased caries of the primary teeth. Chi-squared analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship (P < 0.03) between the age at receipt of chemotherapy (<3.5 years) and the presence of microdont teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral health care is important for all patients particularly those with a neuroblastoma, or who received HDCSCR. Patients should be advised about the possibility of microdontia in the permanent dentition following chemotherapy under 3.5 years.
Hutton
Alison
A
Dental Specialties Department, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham UK. alison.hutton2@nhs.net
Bradwell
Moira
M
English
Martin
M
Chapple
Iain
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000628:therapy; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000628:therapy; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000628:therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants