Time limitations and the challenge of providing infection-preventing dental care to hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation patients

Goal. Oral-dental infection foci should be eradicated before the ablative chemo-radiotherapy regimen of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) commences. The rationale of oral-dental treatment is to prevent the future development and spread of infections in patients with compromised immune systems. This study aims to shed light on the challenges facing hospital dentists in the implementation of optimal oral-dental treatment prior to HSCT. Patients and methods. Data regarding the medical status and dental treatment needs before HSCT were retrieved from the files of 86 consecutive patients post-HSCT. The timing of the oral-dental examination was also recorded. Main results. Dental treatments required before the HSCT were mainly combinations of scaling, plastic fillings, and extractions (47.8%, 39.1%, and 19.5% of the patients respectively). Patients presented at the clinic for oral-dental examination an average of 20.65+/-16.82 days before HSCT with a median of 15 (quarter interval range 10-15) days. Conclusions. Our data indicate a dense distribution of dental needs preceding the ablative conditioning regimen for HSCT. These facts accentuate the vital need for cooperation between hospital dentists and treating physicians.