MANAGEMENT OF ORAL COMPLICATIONS IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION WITH CANCER

Kim, Sung-Ki; Kim, Min Jeong; Lee, Dong-Soo; Kim, Shin; Jeong, Tae-Sung

Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2009;36(1):157-167.
Published online February 28, 2009.

MANAGEMENT OF ORAL COMPLICATIONS IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION WITH CANCER

Sung-Ki Kim, Min Jeong Kim, Dong-Soo Lee, Shin Kim, Tae-Sung Jeong

Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Pusan National University School of Dentistry

소아의 종양성 질환에 동반된 구강합병증 관리

김성기, 김민정, 이동수, 김신, 정태성

부산대학교 치의학전문대학원 소아치과학교실

Correspondence: Tae-Sung Jeong, Tel: 051-240-7451, Email: tsjeong@pusan.ac.kr

Received: 20 November 2008 • Accepted: 31 January 2009

Abstract

The incidence of childhood cancer is greatest in the first year of life. Early diagnosis and advances in medicine have significantly improved outcomes of treatment resulting in higher survival rate; however, this progress comes at the expense of a higher incidence of adverse side effects because of more aggressive antineoplastic treatment strategies. The oral cavity, a trauma-prone environment, is extremely sensitive to toxicities from antineoplastic agents. Oral health care specialists, including pediatric and hospital dentists can support the oncology team by providing basic oral care, implementing oral care protocols, delivering emergency dental treatment, and assisting and/or managing oral complications from cancer therapy. This article covers the considerations in the dental management of pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment, specifically chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Key Words: Anti cancer therapy, Oral health care, Chemotherapy