in particular.
- Leukaemia is the most common form of childhood cancer and the first
disseminated cancer to respond completely to chemotherapy in a significant number
of children. Dental management of affected children needs to consider their
haematological status as well as their immunocompromised condition. - Asthma is a leading cause of chronic illness in childhood; severe asthmatics may be
on systemic steroid therapy, which has implications for dental care. - Convulsions are common in children, occurring in approximately 5%, but many of
these are associated with episodes of high fever in the child and not with epilepsy. - Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine/metabolic disorder of childhood;
if there is good control of blood sugar levels with insulin therapy and nutritional
management, then diabetic complications are minimized and dental care should be
routine. - Organ transplantation in children is now being increasingly undertaken; there are
many side effects of drug control of immunosuppression that affect treatment
planning and oral care. - The participation of the dental team in the overall management of children with
medical problems can significantly help to enhance the quality of life; preventive care
should be the cornerstone of dental management.
16.10 FURTHER READING
Behrman, R. E. and Vaughan, V. C. (2003). Nelson textbook of pediatrics (17th edn).
W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, P A. (The standard paediatric 'bible'; a huge amount of
information about all types of medical problems in children.)
Gorlin, R. J., Cohen, M. M., and Levin, L. S. (2001). Syndromes of the head and neck
(4th edn). Oxford University Press, Oxford. (The authoritative publication on this
subject with erudite lists of references.)
Grundy, M. C., Shaw, L., and Hamilton, D. V. (1993). An illustrated guide to dental
care of the medically compromised patient. Wolfe, London. (Basic information on a
wider range of subjects than can be covered in the present chapter and with practical
information on dental care.)
Little, J. W. and Falace, D. A. (2002). Dental management of the medically
compromised patient (6th edn). Mosby Year Book, St Louis, MO. (Comprehensive
information but with very helpful summaries on potential problems related to dental
care.)
Scully, C. and Cawson, R. A. (2004). Medical problems in dentistry. Churchill
Livingstone, Edinburgh. (5th edn). (The most comprehensive account of how to cope
with medical problems.)