News > Games and video presentations to prevent oral mucositis in children on chemotherapy!

Oral health care with appropriate education of the patient reduces and prevents oral mucositis (stomatitis). Children can receive educational programs with games, video presentations and positive reinforcement rewards. Instructions are offered to how to perform the proper oral hygiene to patients and their care givers.

Oral mucositis is a debilitating cancer-related comorbidity due to pain and dysfunction, difficulty eating, and other problems, with incidence rates in pediatric patients reaching as high as 75%.

The presence of oral mucositis increases the risk of infection and extends hospital stays, with a negative effect on the quality of life and hospital costs.

 An educational program, with games, videos and rewards on oral health maintenance was applied to children in a hospital, in Brazil. Verbal information was also delivered. Children were examined in the mouth every weak. Fourteen children, aged between 2 – 18 years followed the program.

Oral mucositis was more common in the children who did not attend the educational program. Oral mucositis risk was lower in the children who followed the program.

Researchers concluded educational programs is an easy method to prevent and reduce oral mucositis, especially when a dentist is in the hospital, within the multidisciplinary team. Such strategies are recommended in the Pediatric Oncology Centers to improve the quality of life of the pediatric patients. Find an appropriately educated dentist, he can help you.

Source:

Maracaja Bezerra PM. The effectiveness of an oral health education and prevention program on the incidence and severity of oral; mucositis in pediatric cancer patients: a non-randomized controlled study. Supportive Care in Cancer 2021; 29:7877-7885.