Unmet Oral Health Needs Among Paediatric Cancer Survivors: Ethical and Systemic Imperatives for Integrated Public Health Responses
1
Community Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
2
Paediatric Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2249
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although survival rates for childhood cancers have improved, many survivors face lasting complications. Oral health issues, including caries, xerostomia, and delayed oral development, are common during and after cancer treatment. In low-resource settings, these unmet needs point to wider systemic failures. Children typically interact first and most frequently with nursing and medical professionals, especially within maternal and child health services. However, these early opportunities for screening and referral are often missed.
AIM:
To assess the unmet oral health needs of paediatric cancer survivors in South Africa.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 64 paediatric cancer survivors (ages 8–15) at Tygerberg Hospital (Western Cape Province, South Africa). Structured interviews captured dental care practices and access, while COHIP-SF-19 scores measured oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Clinical records were reviewed and associations between behaviours, treatment variables, and OHRQoL were analysed using inferential statistics.
RESULTS:
Most participants (68.7%) began treatment without a prior dental check-up. Additionally, only 19% had received dental care in the year before the study, indicating poor oral health-seeking behaviours. In terms of Children who brushed twice daily had significantly better OHRQoL scores than those brushing less often (43.8 ± 8.5 vs 34.9 ± 9.1; p = 0.04). Younger children experienced more psychosocial impacts. Majority of participants (75%) required restorations, 29.7% needed extractions, and 95.3% required scale and polish, based on symptomatology aligned with COHIP domains. Over half (51.6%) showed potential orthodontic needs. Moreover, longer treatment duration and absence of dental follow-up were associated with poorer OHRQoL (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Oral health remains a neglected aspect of survivorship care. Interdisciplinary follow-up should include dental professionals, and both nursing and medical training programs should incorporate oral health screening as part of routine general assessment. Early integration can improve quality of life and reduce the long-term vulnerability of these survivors.
Although survival rates for childhood cancers have improved, many survivors face lasting complications. Oral health issues, including caries, xerostomia, and delayed oral development, are common during and after cancer treatment. In low-resource settings, these unmet needs point to wider systemic failures. Children typically interact first and most frequently with nursing and medical professionals, especially within maternal and child health services. However, these early opportunities for screening and referral are often missed.
AIM:
To assess the unmet oral health needs of paediatric cancer survivors in South Africa.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 64 paediatric cancer survivors (ages 8–15) at Tygerberg Hospital (Western Cape Province, South Africa). Structured interviews captured dental care practices and access, while COHIP-SF-19 scores measured oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Clinical records were reviewed and associations between behaviours, treatment variables, and OHRQoL were analysed using inferential statistics.
RESULTS:
Most participants (68.7%) began treatment without a prior dental check-up. Additionally, only 19% had received dental care in the year before the study, indicating poor oral health-seeking behaviours. In terms of Children who brushed twice daily had significantly better OHRQoL scores than those brushing less often (43.8 ± 8.5 vs 34.9 ± 9.1; p = 0.04). Younger children experienced more psychosocial impacts. Majority of participants (75%) required restorations, 29.7% needed extractions, and 95.3% required scale and polish, based on symptomatology aligned with COHIP domains. Over half (51.6%) showed potential orthodontic needs. Moreover, longer treatment duration and absence of dental follow-up were associated with poorer OHRQoL (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Oral health remains a neglected aspect of survivorship care. Interdisciplinary follow-up should include dental professionals, and both nursing and medical training programs should incorporate oral health screening as part of routine general assessment. Early integration can improve quality of life and reduce the long-term vulnerability of these survivors.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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