Oral and dental care in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a survey of united kingdom children's cancer study group centres.

Abstract

To examine the provision of oral and dental care for children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) centres. A postal questionnaire was sent to a named consultant at each centre. All 22 centres responded. The majority of centres carry out an oral assessment at the time of diagnosis, although various health care professionals are responsible for this. A dentist routinely attends out-patient clinics in only a minority of centres, although the majority have facilities for the provision of dental treatment 'on site'. In the main, children requiring dental treatment are referred to the Hospital Dental Service. Almost a quarter of centres do not have an oral care protocol. The development of appropriate dental services at tertiary referral centres should be vigorously pursued.