Comparison of oral health characteristics in pediatric cancer and cancer free patients: A multicenter study

Introduction

Comparing oral health of cancer to non-cancer children proves that cancer and its treatment can cause oral complications.

Design

Two groups of children, 50 treated for cancer, and 51 cancer-free, at two different centers, signed informed consent forms. Both the examination of teeth, oral functions and soft tissue with a questionnaire including the patients’ demographic characteristics, medical history, dietary and oral hygiene, and changes due to the oncologic treatment allowed gathering data.

Results

The two groups had no demographic nor socio-economic differences. Dietary habits were not significantly different. Daily brushing was more frequent in cancer-free (96.1%) versus sick (76%) children. Oral hygiene was poor (34%) or very poor (24%) in cancer patients and average for non-cancer subjects (68.6%). Cancer patients had more caries, without significant differences between groups. Gingiva was healthy in 96.1% of non-cancer and 76% of cancer patients (p = 0.044). In cancer patients, intra-oral soft tissue lesions were aphtous ulcers (52.9%), candidiasis (23.5%), and herpes (17.6%). Xerostomia was significantly different (p = 0.001) between cancer (32%) and non-cancer subjects (3.9%). Chemotherapy alone is an independent predictor of poor oral health (HR 17.7, 95% CI [5.2–60.9], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cancer patients had poor oral health compared to non-cancer children, with insufficient knowledge concerning the relationship between oral and general health. Education programs, screenings and treatment at cancer centers may help reduce risks of complications.