Awareness among parents of children undergoing anti-cancer treatment towards dental and oral health

Awareness among parents of children undergoing anti-cancer treatment towards dental and oral health | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Awareness among parents of children undergoing anti-cancer treatment towards dental and oral health Elinor Halperson, Helly Kruchenezki, Gal Goldstein, Aviv Shmueli, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2936109/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Children with cancer who undergo immunosuppressive anti-cancer treatment are at risk of developing acute and long-term oral and dental complications. The study aimed to assess the attitudes toward dental and oral health of parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment. Methods : For this cross-sectional descriptive study, we arbitrarily distributed a questionnaire to the parents of 50 paediatric patients who were receiving anti-cancer treatment (study group) and 62 parents of healthy children (control group). The questionnaires assessed awareness towards oral and dental care. Results: Among the study group, 90% of the respondents acknowledged awareness of the heightened importance of maintaining their children’s oral and dental health. Academic versus non-academic education of the mothers was associated with greater awareness of the importance of maintaining oral and dental health following the children's medical condition. Forty-percent of the parents of the study group reported having received this information from oncology doctors. Among the study group, 42% of the parents had not taken their child to a dentist, though 34% of the children had complained of oral pain. Among the control group, the respective proportions were 5% and 2%. During the course of anti-cancer treatment, 44% of the children in the study group had oral ulcerations and 22% had dry mouth. Conclusions: Despite their awareness to the importance of their children’s dental and oral health, parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment took their children for dental examinations less than did parents of healthy children. This study highlights the need for periodic referrals of children who are treated for cancer, to paediatric dental clinics. awareness parents dental cancer immunosuppression Background Children with cancer who undergo immunosuppressive oncology treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplants are at risk of developing acute and long-term oral and dental complications. Acute oral effects may include mucositis, bleeding, taste alterations, secondary infections, salivary gland dysfunction, periodontal conditions, trismus, osteoradionecrosis and oral neurotoxicity. Late oral phenomena include exacerbated dental caries, temporomandibular dysfunction, osteoradionecrosis, cranio-dental development, dental developmental anomalies and oral graft versus host disease [ 1 – 2 ]. When children and their parents cope with a life-threatening disease, less attention may be given to oral and dental health. Other factors that may challenge the oral health maintenance of these children are changes in oral flora, low awareness of the effect of the disease on oral health, low motivation, and discomfort or pain in toothbrushing [ 2 ]. Parents’ positive attitude and knowledge of oral health were shown to significantly impact their children's behavior, in relation to brushing twice daily and maintaining hygiene [ 3 – 5 ]. Maintaining quality of life of persons undergoing oncological treatments includes removing bacterial plaque on teeth, prevents gingivitis, infections and future complications. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes, knowledge and behavior regarding dental and oral health, of parents of children who received anti-cancer treatment. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was based on questionnaires that examined the awareness of parents to their children's oral and dental health. The questionnaires were arbitrarily distributed to 50 parents of children who were treated in the paediatric hematological oncology department in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital (study group) and 62 parents of healthy children (control group). The questionnaire was based on similar questionnaires developed and published by Sohn (2015), Koerdt (2018) and Gupta (2016), and was translated by the investigators to Hebrew and Arabic [ 2 ]. The questionnaires were answered during 2021–2022. Eligibility criteria for both the study and control groups were: parents of children aged 0–18 years who did not have any diseases, other than the oncological diseases of the children in the study group. The questionnaire consisted of: 5 demographic questions, 2 questions about the child's medical condition, 2 questions about the parent’s awareness to the influence of oncological disease on oral health (q1, and q2, Table 1 ), 4 questions about dental health (q6, q7, q10 and q11, Table 1 ), 3 questions about oral hygiene habits (q3, q4 and q5, Table 1 ) and 2 questions about dietary habits (q8 and q9, Table 1 ). Statistical Analysis All the data were inserted into Excel software and calculations were performed using SPSS statistical software (SPSS, version 25.0, IBM, NY). Quantitative variables were described as means and standard deviations, and as medians and ranges. Qualitative variables were presented by frequencies and percentages. The ANOVA test was used to compare quantitative variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney test to compare variables not normally distributed. Categorical data were compared by using the chi test or Fisher’s test. Results Of the 50 parents in the study group, 19 were of children younger than five years, 11 of children aged 5 -10 years, and 20 of children over 10 years. Of the 62 parents in the control group, four were of children under age 5 years, 16 were of children aged 5-10 years, and 42 of children over age 10 years . Most of the participants were mothers (76% of the study group and 82% of the control group). The majority of the parents were with an academic education, 62% of both groups. Among the children receiving anti-cancer treatment, 50% had a diagnosis of leukemia or lymphoma, 16% had a cancer of the central nervous system, 18% had a solid tumor, and 16% were diagnosed with another cancer. Of all these children of the study group, 82% received chemotherapy, 14% received chemotherapy in combination with radiation, and 4% underwent a bone marrow transplant. Ninety percent of the respondents in the study group reported that they knew the importance of maintaining oral and dental health due to their children ' s medical condition, and 60% knew that oncological treatment may increase the risk to develop caries and periodontal disease. A significant correlation was found between the mothers’ education (academic / non - academic ( and the heightened awareness of the importance of maintaining oral and dental health due to their children ' s medical condition. Forty percent of the respondents in the study group testified that they received information regarding the connection between oncological treatment and dental health from oncologists, 20% from dentists, 10% from oncology nurses and 2% from family doctors. Table 1 shows the responses of the parents in the study and control groups to the questionnaire. Children’s tooth brushing twice daily was reported by 38% of the parents in the study group and 53% in the control group. Among the study group, 42% of the parents had not taken their children with an oncological disease to a dentist, compared to 5% in the control group. Seventeen (34%) of the children in the study group complained of oral pain, and only one (2%) in the control group. In the study group, 46% of the parents reported that their children consumed sweetened beverages and 56% reported the consumption of snacks between meals once a day or more. These proportions compare to 39% and 64%, respectively, of the parents in the control group. During the course of anti-cancer treatment, 44% of the children had oral ulcerations and 22% had dry mouth. Table 1: Responses to the questionnaire, among parents in the study and control groups Question Yes Study group (n=50) Control group (n=62) 1 Are you aware of the link between oncological treatment and periodontal disease ? 31 (62%) 0 2 Are you aware of the link between oncological treatment and tooth decay ? 34 (68%) 0 3 Does your child brush teeth twice a day? 19 (38%) 33 (53%) 4 Does your child brush teeth with the help of an adult ? 21 (42%) 8 (13%) 5 Does your child receive fluoride supplementation? 27 (54%) 36 (58%) 6 Was your child ever examined by a dentist ? 29 (58%) 58 (95%) 7 Has your child ever complained of pain in the oral cavity? 17 (34%) 1 (2%) 8 Does your child consume sweets and snacks once a day or more? 28 (56%) 40 (64%) 9 Does your child consume sweetened beverages once a day or more? 23 (46%) 24 (39%) 10 Has your child complained of ulcers in the mouth? 22 (44%) 2 (3%) 11 Has your child complained of dry mouth? 11 (22%) 4 (7%) Discussion This study showed that parents of children who were receiving anti-cancer treatments had high awareness to the importance of their children’s oral and dental health. About 62% answered that they understood the effects of their children’s oncological disease on periodontal disease and caries development, and 68% reported awareness regarding tooth decay . Among the study group, 42% of the parents had not taken their child to a dentist, compared to only 5% in the control group. This is despite complaints of oral pain among 34% of the study group children and only 2% of the control group. Gupta at al. found that only 13% of parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment had previously taken their children to a dentist [3] . Although the parents in our study were aware of the connection between oral and oncological illness, and although the children complained of pain that was sourced in the mouth, most of the parents did not consult with a paediatric dentist. Possible reasons are that the children ' s medical condition did not allow for dental treatment, that the family was busy with life - saving treatment and was not available for other treatments, that the children did not cooperate, and that the parents preferred to postpone the dental treatment until the end of the oncological treatment . Interprofessional collaborative care between paediatric dentists and oncologists during and after cancer therapy may promote optimal outcomes for paediatric patients [3,6]. It is important that protocols of oncology departments include a dental examination for each child before starting cancer treatments. This should entail personalized recommendations for maintaining children’s oral health, during the illness and during the recovery period. Most of the respondents to the questionnaires were mothers. Therefore, we examined the association between the mothers' education and their awareness to the importance of maintaining oral and dental health due to their children’s medical condition. A significant correlation was found between the mothers’ education and awareness. Specifically, academic mothers in both the study and control groups were more often concerned that their children used a fluoride-containing toothpaste. This study reinforces the argument that educated women are more likely to investigate and learn about oncological disease and its effects on various aspects of children’s health and well-being, including oral health . Compared to the control group, parents of children who were receiving anti-cancer treatments more often reported that their children had pain in the mouth and dry mouth. This was expected, as these symptoms are side effects of anti - cancer treatments [7-9]. Moreover , the oncological diagnosis was found to be correlated with parents’ reports of the presence of sores in their children ' s mouth . Among healthy children, oral pain, dry mouth and mouth sores were rare. This finding reinforces that among children undergoing anti-cancer treatment, more oral complications present, and greater importance should be attributed to oral hygiene and oral health. Limitations A limitation of the study is the non-random selection of the participating parents. As they were all parents of children with cancer who agreed to participate in dental research, their awareness may have been higher than that of non-participating parents. Moreover, a reporting bias should be considered, as the dental habits and dental visits presented are according to parental report. Further studies should be conducted using a larger sample size. Conclusion Despite their awareness to the importance of their children’s dental and oral health, parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment consulted with paediatric dentists less than did parents of healthy children. This study highlights the need for periodic referrals of child who are treated for cancer, to paediatric dental clinics. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital (HMO-0760-21). Written parental informed consent for participation in this study was obtained for each participant. I confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations in the declaration. Consent for publication Not applicable Availability of data and materials All the data related to the study are available and can be found in tables 1. For additional details, please contact the corresponding author: Dr. Elinor Halperson, [email protected] . Competing interests The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Funding No funding was secured for this study Authors’ Contributions EH and AFN conceptualized and designed the study, coordinated and supervised the data collection, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. HK designed the data collection instruments, collected data, carried out the initial analyses and drafted the initial manuscript. GG, MM, AS and DR conceptualized and designed the study, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. All the authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Acknowledgements Not applicable References Dental Management of Pediatric Patients. Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy and/or Radiation Therapy. Pediatr Dent. 2018;40:392–400. Kang CM, Hahn SM, Kim HS, Lyu CJ, Lee JH, Lee J, et al. Clinical risk factors influencing dental developmental disturbances in childhood cancer survivors. Cancer Res Treat. 2018. 10.4143/crt.2017.296 . Gupta A, Marwaha M, Bansal K, Sachdeva A, Gupta A. Dental awareness among parents and oral health of paediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016. 10.7860/JCDR/2016/17412.7819 . Pahel BT, Rozier RG, Slade GD. Parental perceptions of children's oral health: the Early Childhood oral health impact scale (ECOHIS). Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007. 10.1186/1477-7525-5-6 . Saied-Moallemi Z, Virtanen JI, Ghofranipour F, Murtomaa H. Influence of mothers’ oral health knowledge and attitudes on their children’s dental health. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2008. 10.1007/BF03262614 . Ritwik P. Dental Care for Patients with Childhood Cancers. Ochsner J. 2018. 10.31486/toj.18.0061 . Fayle SA, Curzon ME. Oral complications in pediatric oncology patients. Pediatr Dent. 1991;13:289–95. Halperson E, Matalon V, Goldstein G, Saieg Spilberg S, Herzog K, Fux-Noy A, et al. The prevalence of dental developmental anomalies among childhood cancer survivors according to types of anticancer treatment. Sci Rep. 2022. 10.1038/s41598-022-08266-1 . Elad S, Raber-Durlacher JE, Brennan MT, Saunders DP, Mank AP, Zadik Y, et al. Basic oral care for hematology-oncology patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: a position paper from the joint task force of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Support Care Cancer. 2015. 10.1007/s00520-014-2378-x . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-2936109","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":200967512,"identity":"2effe264-416f-4f16-a230-33c6ee0e04a4","order_by":0,"name":"Elinor Halperson","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA1UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACdsYGIHmAgY8dRBtYEKGFGaqFjecASIsEMVrAJFCLRAKIQYQWfmbmtgcf99yRZ5N8fnXDjwIJBv727gS8WiSbGdsNZzx7ZtgmnVN2swfoMIkzZzfg1WJwmLFNmucAiMxJu8ED1GIgkYtfiz1Ui32b5Jm0m3+I0WLADNGS2CbBfuw2UbZIAG2RnHHgcHIbTw7bbRkDCR6CfuFvb38m8eHAYdt+9uPPbr75YyPH396LXwsS4DEAk8QqBwH2B6SoHgWjYBSMghEEABBpRa3XAs5CAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Elinor","middleName":"","lastName":"Halperson","suffix":""},{"id":200967513,"identity":"61ada8ee-dfda-46fe-a3c9-55be1757eac5","order_by":1,"name":"Helly Kruchenezki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Helly","middleName":"","lastName":"Kruchenezki","suffix":""},{"id":200967514,"identity":"c5065f22-23bf-4daa-a85d-7ce4ca281b95","order_by":2,"name":"Gal Goldstein","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gal","middleName":"","lastName":"Goldstein","suffix":""},{"id":200967516,"identity":"2cfef21c-b036-401d-a19d-7960d3a6890f","order_by":3,"name":"Aviv Shmueli","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Aviv","middleName":"","lastName":"Shmueli","suffix":""},{"id":200967517,"identity":"6190bd2c-48f8-4228-a77b-5715f0c7c0f5","order_by":4,"name":"Diana Ram","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Diana","middleName":"","lastName":"Ram","suffix":""},{"id":200967520,"identity":"64825238-524d-47f1-9242-8c5bf1c40b2d","order_by":5,"name":"Moti Moskovitz","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Moti","middleName":"","lastName":"Moskovitz","suffix":""},{"id":200967521,"identity":"1ccd5e25-9d6d-4b70-81d7-0583a30267e7","order_by":6,"name":"Avia Fux-Noy","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hebrew University of Jerusalem","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Avia","middleName":"","lastName":"Fux-Noy","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-05-15 08:01:58","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2936109/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2936109/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":40026925,"identity":"021dc10c-eb4f-47ad-bec1-9fa24b256ea8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-07-14 10:29:41","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":229697,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2936109/v1/e728a8d6-2b86-46eb-a628-4d7c74736ae0.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Awareness among parents of children undergoing anti-cancer treatment towards dental and oral health","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eChildren with cancer who undergo immunosuppressive oncology treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplants are at risk of developing acute and long-term oral and dental complications. \u003cb\u003eAcute\u003c/b\u003e oral effects may include mucositis, bleeding, taste alterations, secondary infections, salivary gland dysfunction, periodontal conditions, trismus, osteoradionecrosis and oral neurotoxicity. \u003cb\u003eLate\u003c/b\u003e oral phenomena include exacerbated dental caries, temporomandibular dysfunction, osteoradionecrosis, cranio-dental development, dental developmental anomalies and oral graft versus host disease [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. When children and their parents cope with a life-threatening disease, less attention may be given to oral and dental health. Other factors that may challenge the oral health maintenance of these children are changes in oral flora, low awareness of the effect of the disease on oral health, low motivation, and discomfort or pain in toothbrushing [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Parents\u0026rsquo; positive attitude and knowledge of oral health were shown to significantly impact their children's behavior, in relation to brushing twice daily and maintaining hygiene [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR4\" citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. Maintaining quality of life of persons undergoing oncological treatments includes removing bacterial plaque on teeth, prevents gingivitis, infections and future complications. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes, knowledge and behavior regarding dental and oral health, of parents of children who received anti-cancer treatment.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis cross-sectional descriptive study was based on questionnaires that examined the awareness of parents to their children's oral and dental health. The questionnaires were arbitrarily distributed to 50 parents of children who were treated in the paediatric hematological oncology department in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital (study group) and 62 parents of healthy children (control group). The questionnaire was based on similar questionnaires developed and published by Sohn (2015), Koerdt (2018) and Gupta (2016), and was translated by the investigators to Hebrew and Arabic [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. The questionnaires were answered during 2021\u0026ndash;2022. Eligibility criteria for both the study and control groups were: parents of children aged 0\u0026ndash;18 years who did not have any diseases, other than the oncological diseases of the children in the study group. The questionnaire consisted of: 5 demographic questions, 2 questions about the child's medical condition, 2 questions about the parent\u0026rsquo;s awareness to the influence of oncological disease on oral health (q1, and q2, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), 4 questions about dental health (q6, q7, q10 and q11, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), 3 questions about oral hygiene habits (q3, q4 and q5, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) and 2 questions about dietary habits (q8 and q9, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll the data were inserted into Excel software and calculations were performed using SPSS statistical software (SPSS, version 25.0, IBM, NY). Quantitative variables were described as means and standard deviations, and as medians and ranges. Qualitative variables were presented by frequencies and percentages. The ANOVA test was used to compare quantitative variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney test to compare variables not normally distributed. Categorical data were compared by using the chi test or Fisher\u0026rsquo;s test.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eOf the 50 parents in the study group, 19 were of children younger than five years, 11 of\u0026nbsp;children aged\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e5\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e-10 years,\u0026nbsp;and\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;20\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u0026nbsp;children\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eover\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;10\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eyears.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eOf the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;62\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparents\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ein the control group, four were of children\u0026nbsp;under\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eage\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e years,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;16\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewere of children\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eaged 5-10 years,\u0026nbsp;and\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;42\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u0026nbsp;children over\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eage\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;10\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eyears\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e Most of the participants were mothers (76% of the study group and 82% of the control group). The majority of the parents were with an academic education, 62% of both groups.\u0026nbsp;Among the children receiving anti-cancer treatment, 50% had a diagnosis of leukemia or lymphoma, 16% had a cancer of the central nervous system, 18% had a solid tumor, and 16% were diagnosed with another cancer. Of all these children of the study group, 82% received chemotherapy, 14% received chemotherapy in combination with radiation, and 4% underwent a bone marrow transplant.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNinety percent\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003erespondents in the study group\u0026nbsp;reported\u0026nbsp;that they knew\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eimportance\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emaintaining\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edue\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eto\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etheir\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026apos;\u003c/span\u003es\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emedical\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econdition, and\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e60%\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eknew\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emay increase\u0026nbsp;the risk to\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edevelop\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecaries\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eperiodontal\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edisease.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eA\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003esignificant\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecorrelation\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewas\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efound\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebetween\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe mothers\u0026rsquo; education\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e(academic\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e/\u003c/span\u003enon\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e-\u003c/span\u003eacademic\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e(\u003c/span\u003e and the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eheightened awareness\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eimportance\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emaintaining\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edue to\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etheir\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026apos;\u003c/span\u003es\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emedical\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econdition.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eForty percent of the respondents in the study group testified\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethey\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ereceived information regarding\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econnection\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebetween\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efrom\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncologists,\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e20%\u003c/span\u003e from dentists, 10% from oncology nurses and 2% from\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efamily\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edoctors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e shows the responses of the parents in the study and control groups to the questionnaire. Children\u0026rsquo;s tooth brushing twice daily was reported by 38% of the parents in the study group and 53% in the control group. Among the study group, 42% of the parents had not taken their children with an oncological disease to a dentist, compared to 5% in the control group. Seventeen (34%) of the children in the study group complained of oral pain, and only one (2%) in the control group. In the study group, 46% of the parents reported that their children consumed sweetened beverages and 56% reported the consumption of snacks between meals once a day or more. These proportions compare to 39% and 64%, respectively, of the parents in the control group. During the course of anti-cancer treatment, 44% of the children had oral ulcerations and 22% had dry mouth.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1: Responses to the questionnaire, among parents in the study and control groups\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.725897920604915%\" rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.7296786389414%\" rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eQuestion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"28.544423440453688%\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"50%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudy group (n=50)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"50%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eControl group\u0026nbsp;(n=62)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAre\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eyou\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eaware\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003elink\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebetween\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eperiodontal\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edisease\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31 (62%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAre\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eyou\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eaware\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003elink\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebetween\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etooth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edecay\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34 (68%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDoes your child brush teeth twice a day?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (38%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33 (53%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDoes\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eyour\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echild\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebrush\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eteeth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewith\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehelp\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ean\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eadult\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 (42%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (13%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDoes your child receive fluoride supplementation?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27 (54%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36 (58%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWas\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eyour\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echild\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eever\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eexamined\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eby\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ea\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edentist\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29 (58%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e58 (95%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHas your child ever complained of pain in the oral cavity?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 (34%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDoes your child consume sweets and snacks once a day or more?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28 (56%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40 (64%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDoes your child consume sweetened beverages once a day or more?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23 (46%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24 (39%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHas your child complained of ulcers in the mouth?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 (44%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"4.716981132075472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"66.60377358490567%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHas your child complained of dry mouth?\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (22%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.339622641509434%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003estudy\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eshowed that parents of children who were receiving anti-cancer treatments had high\u0026nbsp;awareness\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eto the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eimportance\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etheir children\u0026rsquo;s\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealth.\u0026nbsp;About\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e62%\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eanswered\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethey\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eunderstood\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eeffects\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etheir children\u0026rsquo;s\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edisease\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eon\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eperiodontal\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edisease\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecaries\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edevelopment, and 68% reported awareness\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eregarding\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etooth decay\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e Among the study group,\u0026nbsp;42% of the parents had not taken their child to a dentist, compared to only 5% in the control group. This is despite complaints of oral pain among 34% of the study group children and only 2% of the control group. Gupta at al. found that only 13% of parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment had previously taken their children to a dentist\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e[3]\u003c/span\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Although\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe parents\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ein our study\u0026nbsp;were\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eaware\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econnection\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebetween\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eillness,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ealthough\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe children\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecomplained\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003epain\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat was\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003esourced in\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe mouth,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emost of\u0026nbsp;the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparents\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edid\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003enot\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econsult with\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ea paediatric\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edentist.\u0026nbsp;Possible\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ereasons\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eare\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat the children\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026apos;\u003c/span\u003es\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emedical\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econdition\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edid\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003enot\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eallow\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efor\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment, that the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efamily\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewas busy\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewith\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003elife\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e-\u003c/span\u003esaving treatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewas\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003enot\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eavailable\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efor\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eother\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatments, that the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren did\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003enot\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecooperate, and that\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparents\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003epreferred\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eto\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003epostpone\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003euntil\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eend\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatment\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e Interprofessional collaborative care between paediatric dentists and oncologists during and after cancer therapy may promote optimal outcomes for paediatric patients\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e[3,6]. It is important that protocols of oncology departments include a dental examination for each child before starting cancer treatments. This should entail personalized recommendations for maintaining children\u0026rsquo;s oral health, during the illness and during the recovery period.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the respondents to the questionnaires were mothers. Therefore, we examined the association between the mothers\u0026apos; education and their awareness to the importance of maintaining oral and dental health due to their children\u0026rsquo;s medical condition. A significant correlation was found between the mothers\u0026rsquo; education and awareness. Specifically, academic mothers in both the study and control groups were more often concerned that their children used a fluoride-containing toothpaste.\u0026nbsp;This\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003estudy\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ereinforces\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eargument\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eeducated\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewomen\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eare\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emore\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003elikely to\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003einvestigate\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003elearn\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eabout\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edisease\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eits\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eeffects on various aspects of children\u0026rsquo;s health and well-being, including\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared to the control group, parents of\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren who were receiving anti-cancer treatments more often reported that their children had\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003epain\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ein the mouth and\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edry\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emouth. This was expected, as these symptoms are\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eside\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eeffects\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eanti\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e-\u003c/span\u003ecancer\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etreatments [7-9]. Moreover\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e,\u003c/span\u003e the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoncological\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ediagnosis was found to be correlated with\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparents\u0026rsquo;\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ereports\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003epresence\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003esores\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ein\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etheir\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026apos;\u003c/span\u003es\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emouth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e Among\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealthy\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren, oral pain,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edry\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emouth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emouth\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003esores were rare. This\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003efinding\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ereinforces\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethat\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eamong\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eundergoing\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eanti-cancer treatment,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003emore\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecomplications\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003epresent, and greater\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eimportance\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eshould\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eattributed\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eto\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehygiene\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eoral\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehealth.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLimitations\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003elimitation\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003estudy is\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ethe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003enon-random selection\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof the\u0026nbsp;participating\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparents.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eAs they were all\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparents\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eof\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003echildren\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewith\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ecancer\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ewho\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eagreed\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eto\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparticipate\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ein\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eresearch,\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003etheir\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eawareness may have been\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehigher than that of non-participating parents.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eMoreover, a reporting bias\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eshould\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ebe\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003econsidered, as the\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003ehabits\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eand\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003edental\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003evisits presented are according to\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003eparental report. Further studies should be conducted using a larger sample size.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eDespite their awareness to the importance of their children\u0026rsquo;s dental and oral health, parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment consulted with paediatric dentists less than did parents of healthy children. This study highlights the need for periodic referrals of child who are treated for cancer, to paediatric dental clinics.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study protocol was approved by the\u0026nbsp;Institutional Review Board of\u0026nbsp;Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital\u0026nbsp;(HMO-0760-21). Written parental informed consent for participation in this study was obtained for each participant. I confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations in the declaration.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the data related to the study are available and can be found in tables 1. For additional details, please contact the corresponding author: \u0026nbsp;Dr. Elinor Halperson, [email protected].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo funding was secured for this study\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors’ Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEH and AFN conceptualized and designed the study, coordinated and supervised the data collection, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. HK designed the data collection instruments, collected data, carried out the initial analyses and drafted the initial manuscript. GG, MM, AS and DR conceptualized and designed the study, and reviewed and revised the manuscript.\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;All the authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDental Management of Pediatric Patients. Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy and/or Radiation Therapy. Pediatr Dent. 2018;40:392\u0026ndash;400.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKang CM, Hahn SM, Kim HS, Lyu CJ, Lee JH, Lee J, et al. Clinical risk factors influencing dental developmental disturbances in childhood cancer survivors. Cancer Res Treat. 2018. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.4143/crt.2017.296\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGupta A, Marwaha M, Bansal K, Sachdeva A, Gupta A. Dental awareness among parents and oral health of paediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.7860/JCDR/2016/17412.7819\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePahel BT, Rozier RG, Slade GD. Parental perceptions of children\u0026apos;s oral health: the Early Childhood oral health impact scale (ECOHIS). Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1186/1477-7525-5-6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaied-Moallemi Z, Virtanen JI, Ghofranipour F, Murtomaa H. Influence of mothers\u0026rsquo; oral health knowledge and attitudes on their children\u0026rsquo;s dental health. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2008. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1007/BF03262614\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRitwik P. Dental Care for Patients with Childhood Cancers. Ochsner J. 2018. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.31486/toj.18.0061\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFayle SA, Curzon ME. Oral complications in pediatric oncology patients. Pediatr Dent. 1991;13:289\u0026ndash;95.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHalperson E, Matalon V, Goldstein G, Saieg Spilberg S, Herzog K, Fux-Noy A, et al. The prevalence of dental developmental anomalies among childhood cancer survivors according to types of anticancer treatment. Sci Rep. 2022. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1038/s41598-022-08266-1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElad S, Raber-Durlacher JE, Brennan MT, Saunders DP, Mank AP, Zadik Y, et al. Basic oral care for hematology-oncology patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: a position paper from the joint task force of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Support Care Cancer. 2015. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1007/s00520-014-2378-x\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"awareness, parents, dental, cancer, immunosuppression ","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2936109/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2936109/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground:\u003c/strong\u003e Children with cancer who undergo immunosuppressive anti-cancer treatment are at risk of developing acute and long-term oral and dental complications. The study aimed to assess the attitudes toward dental and oral health of parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment.\u003cu\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/u\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods\u003c/strong\u003e: For this cross-sectional descriptive study, we arbitrarily distributed a questionnaire to the parents of 50 paediatric patients who were receiving anti-cancer treatment (study group) and 62 parents of healthy children (control group). The questionnaires assessed awareness towards oral and dental care. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResults: \u003c/strong\u003eAmong the study group, 90% of the respondents acknowledged awareness of the heightened importance of maintaining their children’s oral and dental health. Academic versus non-academic education of the mothers was associated with greater awareness of the importance of maintaining oral and dental health following the children's medical condition. Forty-percent of the parents of the study group reported having received this information from oncology doctors. Among the study group, 42% of the parents had not taken their child to a dentist, though 34% of the children had complained of oral pain. Among the control group, the respective proportions were 5% and 2%. During the course of anti-cancer treatment, 44% of the children in the study group had oral ulcerations and 22% had dry mouth.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions:\u003c/strong\u003e Despite their awareness to the importance of their children’s dental and oral health, parents of children receiving anti-cancer treatment took their children for dental examinations less than did parents of healthy children. This study highlights the need for periodic referrals of children who are treated for cancer, to paediatric dental clinics.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Awareness among parents of children undergoing anti-cancer treatment towards dental and oral health","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2023-05-19 09:03:23","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2936109/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"2440de23-8040-45aa-8f1f-a25cd04e355e","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 19th, 2023","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2023-07-14T10:29:30+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2023-05-19 09:03:23","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2936109","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2936109","identity":"rs-2936109","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"_2-kVJe1T_tPrBINL-cwx","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}