THE IMPORTANCE TO RECOGNIZE ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ACUTE LEUKEMIA (CASE REPORT)

Abstract

Dentists could be the first health providers who detect the oral manifestation of early symptoms of leukemia. The management of three cases of acute leukemia, which had intra oral manifestations that were unnoticed by the dentists, are discussed. Before being referred to the Oral Medicine Department, these patients had undergone invasive dental treatment by their dentist, which had caused complication such as bleeding. After being referred, the patients had undergone non-invasive dental examination and hematologic examination, which revealed leukemia, and instruction of non-invasive daily oral hygiene procedure, were performed on the patients. Dentist should work in a team with physicians who treat the systemic conditions of the leukemic patients with dental problems. This report stresses the need in increasing dentists’ awareness on the importance of noticing and reviewing systemic condition of their patients prior to dental treatment.

Keywords

• Acute leukemia
• oral manifestations
• dental treatment