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

Abstract

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