Survival following childhood cancer has increased considerably. In an observational cross-sectional study, we assessed the prevalence of dental developmental anomalies (DDA) among childhood cancer survivors according to types of anticancer treatment. Permanent teeth were examined clinically and radiographically in 121 adolescents with a history of childhood malignancies, to identify DDA, namely hypomineralization or hypoplasia, microdontia, root changes and hypodontia. DDA were observed in 56/121 individuals (46%), in 309/3388 teeth (9%). Hypomineralization or hypoplasia of enamel appeared in 21 (17%) patients. Altered root development appeared in 26 patients and hypodontia affected 13 (10%). Dental anomalies were observed in 36 (43%) individuals who received chemotherapy and not radiation, in 20 (52%) who received radiotherapy, and in 15 (60%) of those who received head and neck radiotherapy. Among patients who received only chemotherapy, young age (6 years or younger) was associated with a higher number of malformed teeth. In conclusion, antineoplastic treatment that combines chemotherapy and radiotherapy appears to increase the risk of DDA. Radiation to the head and neck area was shown to particularly increase the risk of DDA. No specific chemotherapy agent was found to be associated more than the others with DDA.

The purpose of the study was to examine the compliance of children wearing their mouthguards, and to evaluate socio-environmental factors that impact upon the usage of the device. Eighty children attending the student clinic of the Hadassah School of Dental Medicine received mouthguards free of charge. One year later, 69 participants and their parents answered a survey aimed at gaining information regarding compliance and comfort when wearing the mouthguard correlated with gender, ages of parents and child, number of siblings, position of child in the family, socio-economic status, education of parents and past dental injuries of siblings or parents. Twenty-nine percent of the children never wore the mouthguard, 32% wore it sometimes, 15.9% wore it when necessary at the beginning but stopped after one month and 23.2% wore the mouthguard whenever needed. About 68% of the participants still possessed the mouthguard one year after receiving it, 44.9% reported that they did not wear the mouthguard because they forgot and 42% reported that the reason for not wearing the appliance was because it was not comfortable. Seventy-seven percent of the parents were not aware of the existence of this appliance prior to this study. In addition, 47.9% stated that dentists had not offered such treatment to them in the past, 20.8% indicated that their child had never possessed a mouthguard before due to its significant expense and 39.6% stated that they would not invest in this treatment in the future because their child would not wear the appliance. Boys were more comfortable wearing the mouthguard than girls. The younger the child and the later s/he was in the sibling order of the family, the more likely s/he was to lose the mouthguard.

Background: Survival following childhood cancer has increased considerably. We examined associations of specific types of cancer therapy with the presence of oral and dental abnormalities among childhood cancer survivors. Procedure: 131 children who were diagnosed with malignancies during childhood were referred to full oro-dental exams. Permanent teeth were examined clinically and radiographically to identify dental caries and anomalies in dental developmental: hypocalcification or hypoplasia, microdontia, root changes and absent tooth bud categorized hypodontia. Results: Dental developmental anomalies were observed in 56 (46%) of 121 children, in 309 teeth (9%). Hypocalcification or hypoplasia of enamel appeared in 21 (17%) patients. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score was 6.69 (SD 6.19). Altered root development appeared in 26 patients and hypodontia affected 13 (10%). Dental anomalies were observed in 36 (43%) individuals who received chemotherapy and not radiation, in 20 (52.63%) who received radiotherapy, and in 15 (60%) of those who received head & neck radiotherapy. Young age (under 6 years) was associated with a higher number of malformed teeth among patients who received only chemotherapy. Various chemotherapy agents associated similarly with dental anomalies and also with DMFT. Conclusions: Antineoplastic treatment that combines chemotherapy and radiotherapy appears to increase the risk of developing serious dental anomalies. Radiation to the head and neck area particularly increases the risk of dental developmental anomaly. No specific chemotherapy agent was found to be associated more than the others with dental side effects.

Objectives: Survival following childhood cancer has increased considerably. We examined associations of cancer therapy with the presence of Dental Developmental Anomalies (DDA)among childhood cancer survivors.Procedure: 131 children who were diagnosed with malignancies during childhood were included. Permanent teeth were examined clinically and radiographically to identify DDA: hypocalcification or hypoplasia, microdontia, root changes and hypodontia.Results: observed in 56 (46%) of 121 children, in 309 teeth (9%). Hypocalcification or hypoplasia of enamel appeared in 21 (17%) patients. Altered root development appeared in 26 patients and hypodontia affected 13(10%). Dental anomalies were observed in 36(43%) individuals who received chemotherapy and not radiation, in 20 (52.63%) who received radiotherapy, and in 15 (60%)of those who received head & neck radiotherapy. Young age (under 6 years) was associated with a higher number of malformed teeth among patients who received only chemotherapy. Various chemotherapy agents associated similarly with dental anomalies.Conclusions: Antineoplastic treatment that combines chemotherapy and radiotherapy appears to increase the risk of developing DDA. Radiation to the head and neck area particularly increases the risk of DDA. No specific chemotherapy agent was found to be associated more than the others with dental side effects.