title: The oral health needs of children after treatment for a solid tumour or lymphoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Dental Specialties Department, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham UK. alison.hutton2@nhs.net
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradwell
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: Iain
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chapple
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants