Operative Preventive Oral Hygiene Protocols in Pediatric Patients with Leukemia: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The objective of this study is to highlight the critical role of pediatric dentists in promoting oral health prevention among leukemia patients. In fact, oral manifestations frequently serve as the initial clinical indicators of leukemia, occurring in up to 10% of cases. In acute myelomonocytic leukemia, oral lesions are observed in 65-90% of patients. Methods: A cohort of 63 patients (30 males and 33 females) with a mean age of 10 years participated in this study. All participants adhered to a standardized preventive dental care protocol, referred to as the "Preventive Iter". This protocol focuses on individualized oral hygiene education, regular monitoring, and professional dental interventions aimed at preventing and managing oral health complications associated with systemic conditions such as leukemia. Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant and progressive improvement across all evaluated oral health parameters as patients advanced through the Preventive Iter protocol. Conclusions: The Preventive Iter protocol has proven to be highly effective in improving oral health outcomes, as evidenced by notable reductions in plaque accumulation, microbial imbalance, and gingival inflammation. The structured, individualized approach-incorporating professional hygiene interventions and tailored educational strategies-appears to be a key factor in achieving and maintaining these improvements. These findings underscore the critical importance of early and ongoing preventive care, particularly for medically vulnerable populations.