Survey of oral hygiene regimens among bone marrow transplant centers

Oral complications may occur as an adverse effect of the preparative regimens used in bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A variety of oral-care regimens are used to manage the prevention and treatment of oral complications. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to identify similarities and differences in oral-care regimens among various BMT centers. A 35-item questionnaire was sent to 92 BMT centers, with an 80% response rate. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Following a variety of guidelines, routine oral assessments were performed by physicians (41%), nurses (33%), and dentists (25%). Thirty-eight percent of the BMT centers used WBC counts as a basis for changing the oral hygiene regimen; 90% used platelet counts. When toothbrushing was discontinued, 50% of the centers used toothettes. In 54% of the centers, flossing was not used in oral hygiene regimens. The two primary mouth-rinses used were chlorhexidine and normal saline. In summary, few similarities existed in the assessment and management of oral care.