Çocukluk Çaği Kanser Hastalarinin Dental Bakiminda Ailelerin Yaklaşimi Parental Attitudes of Dental Care in Childhood Cancer

Objective This study aims to investigate parental knowledge and attitude towards dental treatment for children diagnosed with cancer. Methods: At the time of the interview, recently diagnosed 13 and 37 children with ongoing cancer treatment at Pediatric Oncology Department and their parents were included in the study. The data were collected during interview by following a questionnaire that included open and close-ended questions. Dental experience of the children, acceptance of oral hygiene and importance of dental treatment by the parents, attitude in children towards dental health were evaluated. Results: Frequency of dental visits by the children before diagnosis and prior to treatment was found to be lower than the frequency of the visits during the treatment. Despite not paying attention to the dental care of their children previously, the parents preferred to have dental treatment for their children done by pediatric dentists specialized in this field when regular and urgent dental care is needed especially during the antineoplastic treatment because they thought their personal dentist did not have enough specific knowledge in this field. Conclusion: It will be beneficial to have pediatric denstists in pediatric departments to provide dental care.