Dental health in children with cancer.

This study investigated the dental health of children (aged 1-14 years) diagnosed with cancer 4-36 months earlier. Sixty patients were examined and interviewed; 43% had untreated decay and only 35% had seen a dentist since their malignancy had been diagnosed. A significant source of bacterial infection is not being treated in this at risk population. The level of dental disease and lack of dental prevention indicates a need to integrate medical and dental care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]