Awareness of oral health, hygiene practices, and chemotherapy-related oral manifestations among parents of pediatric oncology patients.

Abstract

Background: Pediatric oncology patients are highly susceptible to oral complications during chemotherapy. Awareness amongst parents and oral hygiene practices play a crucial role in preventing and managing these issues.

Aim: To assess parental knowledge and awareness about the oral hygiene practices and reported oral manifestations associated with chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients.

Materials and methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pediatric Oncology over one year. Parents of 66 children aged 0-18 years completed a structured questionnaire covering dental care utilization, oral hygiene practices, awareness regarding oral health, pre-treatment dental status, and self-reported oral side effects after therapy.

Results: Only 25.7% of children had ever visited a dentist, and 12.1% underwent dental evaluation before oncology treatment. While 57.6% brushed once daily, 51.5% required assistance, and 63.6% consumed snacks between meals. Parental awareness regarding the impact of diet and oral health on general health was low (30.3%). More than half of parents (57.6%) reported oral changes after the initiation of therapy, with oral ulcers (40.9%), difficulty eating (30.3%), and taste alteration (27.3%) being most common. Despite these symptoms, only 3% underwent dental treatment post-therapy initiation.

Conclusion: The study reveals inadequate dental care utilization, suboptimal oral hygiene practices, and lack of awareness amongst parents of pediatric oncology patients. Routine dental screening, structured oral hygiene education, and multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to minimize oral complications and improve oral health during chemotherapy.