Dental caries experience of children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in relation to the duration of treatment and the period of time in remission.

Abstract

The dental condition of 54 children aged 3-19 years who were in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was examined in relation to the duration of their chemotherapy and their period of time in remission. There were no significant differences in the number of early ('white spot') lesions or in the total dental caries experience in relation to the duration of chemotherapy. Children who were longest in remission had significantly more white spot lesions in permanent teeth but not in primary teeth, and there was no significant difference in dental caries experience. Children who had received nystatin treatment for more than a year had significantly more white spot lesions in permanent teeth than those who had received nystatin for shorter periods.