Burden of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Pediatric Cancer Patients: Evidence from Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Purpose: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a critical dimension of well-being, particularly for pediatric cancer patients. Because limited evidence is available from Saudi Arabia regarding OHRQoL in this vulnerable population, this study aimed to assess and explore the factors influencing OHRQoL among pediatric cancer patients and survivors in Saudi Arabia using the OHIP-14 questionnaire, and to describe self-reported oral health practices, access to dental care, and related behaviors in this population.

Materials and methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 pediatric cancer patients (aged 1-12 years) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, between February and April 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that captured sociodemographic characteristics, oral health practices, access to dental care, and responses to the validated OHIP-14 scale. Each OHIP-14 item was rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating poorer OHRQoL. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including chi-squared tests, were performed, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results: Leukemia and related hematologic malignancies were most common (42%), followed by lymphomas (12%). Chemotherapy alone was the predominant treatment (44%). Over half of participants (52%) had OHIP-14 scores ≥3, indicating poor OHRQoL, most notably in the physical pain (74%) and physical disability (52%) domains. The most frequent severe impacts were 'pain in the mouth' (25%), 'difficulty eating' (23%), and 'interrupted meals' (21%). Half of the patients (50%) had not visited a dentist within the past year, and 30% reported not brushing daily. Chi-squared analyses revealed statistically significant associations between access to dental care and several sociodemographic and clinical factors (p 0.001 for household size, parental education, job, cancer diagnosis, and treatment). Similarly, high OHIP-14 scores were statistically significantly related to age, parental education, and cancer- and treatment-related variables.

Conclusions: Pediatric cancer patients in this study demonstrated considerable OHRQoL impairments, particularly in relation to pain and functional limitations. The findings underscore the importance of integrating routine oral health assessment and supportive dental care into pediatric oncology services in Saudi Arabia.