Comparative Evaluation of Oral Health Status in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction: Leukemia is the most common childhood malignancies characterized by an excessive proliferation of immature white blood cells and their precursors. Oral complications due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy include increased incidence of dental caries, gingival and periodontal disease, candidiasis, oral mucositis. Aim: The aim was to evaluate oral health status (OHS) of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to compare OHS with healthy children. Method: A total of 60 children of both sexes in the age group of 2-14 years in which 30 healthy children and 30 diagnosed children with ALL were selected for the study. The oral cavity was examined for dental caries using def-t and decay-missing-filled teeth (DMF-T) indices, gingival status by using the modified gingival index, oral hygiene by using "oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S)." Results of the study were statistically evaluated. Results: Statistical analysis was performed by using unpaired t-test. The mean gingival index in ALL was found to be 1.59 as compared to 0.079 in the control group. About 13% with severe gingivitis and 80% with moderate gingivitis in ALL group when compared to the control group with 3% moderate gingivitis and 26% mild gingivitis. The mean OHI-S value of ALL was found to be 2.29 compared with 0.82 in the control group. 20% of ALL group was found with poor oral hygiene. The deft of 76% and DMFT of 46% in ALL group when compared with deft of 66% and DMFT of 13% in the control group. The mean DMFT value of ALL was found to be 5.28 as compared to 1.97 in the control group. Conclusion: The gingival index, OHI, DMFT index were significantly higher in the ALL group compared to healthy children.