Long-term effects of chemotherapy on dental status of children cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the dental and gingival health and dental disturbance parameters of children cancer survivors.


METHODS
Thirty-eight children (mean age 12.2 ± 0.5 years) who underwent chemotherapy at 4.29 ± 1.71 years of age formed the study group. Forty age- and gender-matched healthy children with a similar socioeconomic background served as controls. Subjects' caries status (number of decayed, missing, or filled permanent teeth [DMF-T]) was recorded according to World Health Organization criteria. Subjects' periodontal status was recorded according to the community periodontal index system. Radiographic dental examination was used to analyze dental malformations.


RESULTS
DMF-T, D-T (number of decayed permanent teeth), and F-T (number of filled permanent teeth) were significantly higher in the study group compared to the controls (4.61 ± 3.71, 3.97 ± 4.45, respectively, and 0.58 ± 0.14 vs. 2.21 ± 1.01, 0.84 ± 1.82, and 1.18 ±1.07, respectively. The most frequent dental disturbances were root malformation (52.6%) and agenesis (47.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
According to our examination dental status of long-term survivors is worse than in controls. Hence proper oral hygiene for children cancer survivors (CCS) is critical. In order to meet the need for dental care in CCS health authorities are encouraged to revitalize the dental services Long-term follow-up of CCS is necessary to monitor their dental growth and oral health.
2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. drnemethorsolya@gmail.com
Orsolya
O
Nemeth
Peter
P
Hermann
Peter
P
Kivovics
Miklos
M
Garami
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors; D013995:Time; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*