Oral manifestations of pediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and dental awareness among their parents-a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Oral cavity lesions are among the most frequent complications of antineoplastic chemotherapy. This study investigated oral manifestations in children undergoing chemotherapy and assessed dental awareness among their parents. The study sample included 441 pediatric cancer patients aged 1- to 14-years-old who were receiving chemotherapy. Oral assessments were systematically conducted on eligible patients using the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) criteria and the World Health Organization Mucositis (WHO) grading system to ensure objective measurement. A detailed survey evaluating parental awareness of dental care practices was distributed and completed by caregivers accompanying the children. Subsequently, all collected data and values underwent a comprehensive statistical analysis. Regarding the OAG score, oral manifestations were observed in children who underwent chemotherapy treatment with a mean score of 11.66. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between age or gender in relation to oral manifestations. A significant association was found between the type of cancer and saliva score (p-value 0.005). Most parents reported that their children experienced oral complications, received nutritional advice from a pediatrician or dietitian, and showed an interest in their child’s dental care. Regarding the relationship between oral manifestation scores and frequency of teeth brushing per day, children who brushed their teeth only once had significantly lower scores in voice (p-value 0.018) and saliva (p-value 0.026) compared to other children. Children undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience oral complications, with tooth debris and dry lips being the most commonly observed manifestations. Although parents demonstrated an interest in their children’s dental care, they lacked sufficient awareness of appropriate oral health practices. Clinicaltrials.gov registration number was: NCT05224882. Clinicaltrials.gov registration date was: November 26, 2022.