Oral health care of Saudi leukemic patients

There is a growing demand in Saudi Arabia for better oral health care; however, the need varies from one group to another. Patients with leukemia require more dental care than do healthy subjects because of associated serious oral complications and physical disabilities in maintaining plaque-free teeth. Because of a dental manpower shortage, leukemic patients in Saudi Arabia are likely to be receiving less specialist dental care than they require. A pilot study of 30 leukemic patients from four major hospitals in Riyadh showed high indices of plaque, calculus, and gingival bleeding. While hopitalized, 54% of the patients had a plaque index of greater than 80%, whereas 31% of the patients had a bleeding index of greater than 80%. All leukemic patients examined had either oral ulcerations, fungal infection, gingival enlargement, or gingival bleeding that necessitated further medical attention. This study indicated that Saudi leukemic patients desperately require better oral health care. Additional specialist dental centers staffed by appropriately trained dental personnel are urgently needed to provide oral health care for these patients.