Abstract

NAVAS, Rita et al. Oral health-disease in patients pediatric with cancer: their relationship with social factors. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2007, vol.45, n.4, pp.518-523. ISSN 0001-6365.

Objective: To determine the conditions oral health-disease in patients pediatric with cancer: their relationship with social factors. Methods: The sample was conformed for 41 children (4 to-18 years- old) and their parents. This patients were attend in the onco-hematology service of pediatrics specialities hospital in Maracaibo municipally Zulia state, Venezuela. In these children were evaluated dentition state, plaque and gingival index, and severity of mucositis.  In the parents a questionnaire was designed to inquire about oral health attitudes and education level. Results: The group of 4 -7 years old was high mean dmft (2.87), The mean DMFT in the group of 16-18 years old was 8.5. The plaque index was 0.86 and 0.80 for gingival index.  63.4 % of the parents showed neutral attitude of oral health and 53.6% showed low education level.  No statistically significant differences were found between caries, plaque, gingivitis and the parent’s aptitude (P>0,05). Conclusions: Deficient conditions of buccal health was found in  patients  of this study which can originate oral complications  and to modify  the oncology therapy, reason why  it requires the application of  strategies of buccal cares that includes the parents and  consider their concepts, values and   beliefs with respect to the oral health.

Keywords : oral health-disease; children; cancer; attitude; education level.