Long-term effect of anticancer therapy on dentition of Italian children in remission from malignant disease: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To investigate the effects of anticancer therapy on dental development and caries formation in Italian childhood cancer survivors compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

A total of 52 children treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy when younger than 10 years and in remission from at least 2 years, and 52 healthy age- and gender-matched children were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants were examined for dental caries and enamel defects according to the decayed-missing-filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) index and the Aine rating scale. Panoramic radiographs were taken to estimate dental age and to assess dental abnormalities using the Höltta Defect Index.

CONCLUSION

These children are at high risk for tooth developmental abnormalities and poor dental health and should be closely monitored by a specialist dentist.