Dental treatment of pediatric oncological patients

In their work, dentists, especially those in general dental practice, encounter patients of various ages and with different health conditions. Undoubtedly, the pediatric population is not excluded in this context, and special attention is paid to oncological patients in this population. Malignant diseases require a special approach in the field of dentistry, both through guidelines and preventive measures, as well as in cases where it is necessary to treat conditions or diseases resulting from oncology treatment or the disease itself. Oncological treatment consequences are also visible in the oral cavity, which becomes extremely sensitive during the course of treatment. Children, as oncological patients, can quickly transition from a relatively "healthy state" to a state characterized by significant changes in the oral cavity, which are conditions that are extremely difficult for children to endure. These changes manifest as complications such as oral mucositis, xerostomia, opportunistic infections, dental hypersensitivity, developmental disorders of the jaw structures, and GvHD. For complications during and after chemotherapy, the treatment is symptomatic, involving the implementation of a treatment protocol with clearly defined procedures for each complication, ranging from preventive brushing to the application of medication. Due to the increasing number of pediatric oncological patients, it is the dentist's task to understand the nature of malignant diseases, their basic characteristics, how to prevent the development of oral complications during and after oncological therapy, and how to treat any complications that may arise.