Peculiarities of Dental Treatment among Paediatric Oncological Patients: a Case Report

Abstract

Objectives: According to the National Cancer Institute of Lithuania, cancer is diagnosed for almost 100 children each year. Oncological patients suffer from complications during and after treatment. Radiation therapy also affects dental hard tissues. Many oncological patients lose motivation to take care of their oral hygiene because they are focused on cancer diagnosis. This case report discusses prevention and dental treatment severity after radiation therapy treatment. Material and Methods: A 9-year-old boy with cancer diagnosis visited a dentist in 2017. The patient was complaining about poor aesthetic quality of the teeth, but there were no complaints about teeth sensitivity or pain. Different stages of active caries, poor oral hygiene, visible abundant plaque, swollen, red and bleeding gums were observed during appointment. A motivational interview explaining the importance of oral hygiene was conducted. Non-surgical caries treatment was prescribed during the first visit. Restorative treatment was performed after 1 month. Results: The motivational interview explaining the importance of oral hygiene was conducted during every appointment per 3-year period. Unfortunately, oral hygiene is still poor due to the lack of motivation. Active-cavitated caries lesions were restored with glass ionomer cement and composite resin. The aesthetics of teeth was improved. Conclusions: Oncological and recovered patients after radiation therapy should be assigned to a high risk of caries. These patients should be treated individually by the algorithm. Psychological or psychotherapeutic assistance is necessary for patients due to motivation for treatment and oral care.

Keywords

• cancer of head and neck
• dental atraumatic restorative treatment
• dental caries
• pediatric dentistry
• radiation
• radiotherapy