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Objective To evaluate the association between sociodemographic variables and oral diseases in children and adolescents with cancer receiving treatment at the “Nossa Senhora da Glória” State Children Hospital (HEINSG) - Vitória - ES.Method This is a cross-sectional study, in which 51 subjects were evaluated before or three days after the start of chemotherapy from April 2013 to April 2014.Results When the study participants were examined the prevalence of dental caries was 25.4%, xerostomia presented with a frequency of 31%. Other diseases were also observed at lower frequency, such as mucositis, candidiasis and thrush. Caries was significantly associated with poor oral hygiene (OR: 0,114; p - 0.016) and low maternal schooling (OR: 0,188; p - 0.021).Conclusion Some subjects had oral disease before starting chemotherapy; therefore, they were more likely of developing oral manifestations during treatment. The participation of the dental surgeon in the multidisciplinary team of cancer treatment is important to evaluate the oral health status of individuals before and during treatment, thus developing an appropriate treatment plan to prevent or reduce the occurrence of oral manifestations during therapy.Clinical Relevance This study showed and reaffirmed the importance of an evaluation of the oral condition prior to chemotherapy treatment and also the need for a dental surgeon in the team of professionals who accompany cancer patients to treat caries lesions and remove foci of infection, preventing thus the appearance of oral manifestations that may delay chemotherapy, generating unnecessary suffering for these patients. |
