Assessment of oral health status of children with Leukemia: A cross-sectional study

Aim The present study was conducted with an aim to assess the oral hygiene status, gingival health status, and prevalence of dental caries, oral mucositis and xerostomia among children with leukemia and compare it with healthy children. Methods and Results A total sample size of 220 children with 110 children with Leukemia of subtype acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing treatment and 110 healthy children in the age group of 3-14 years was selected. Evaluation of caries status using dmft/DMFT indices, oral hygiene status using OHI-S and plaque index by Sillness and Loe, gingival health status using modified gingival index, oral mucositis as per WHO oral toxicity scale, xerostomia as per common terminology criteria for adverse events for dry mouth, and salivary pH using pH paper strips was done. Results revealed a lower prevalence of dental caries, good oral hygiene and mild gingivitis in children with ALL when compared to healthy children. Oral mucositis was found to occur only in children with ALL and a reduced salivary flow rate and reduced salivary pH were seen in these children when compared to healthy children. Conclusion It was concluded that children with ALL undergoing treatment and following an oral care protocol presented with a good Oral Health Status when compared with healthy children.