Evaluation of clinical findings obtained from epidermolysis bullosa cases, oral hygiene guidance and determination of dental approach

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical findings obtained from epidermolysis bullosa cases and to reveal the incidence of the cases, to compare the findings with the literature, to determine the dentist approach to these cases, to provide dental guidance to increase the quality of life by collaborating with the cases, and to create awareness among dentists. Material and Method: This study was conducted by evaluating the clinical findings, anamnesis and family histories of 30 epidermolysis bullosa cases, 15 of them women and 15 of them men, living in Diyarbakır, Batman and Şanlıurfa between 2018 and 2020. The data obtained were evaluated statistically. Results: Of the 30 cases we examined in our study, 66.7% had a history of malnutrition-frequent infection, 73.3% had anemia-gastrointestinal system complications-contracture in the hands, 30% had a heart problem and a history of covid-19, 86.7% had growth retardation, complications in the eyes in 60%, deformity in the nails in 96.7%, contractures in the feet in 76.7%, kinship between parents in 96.7% and affected in 33.3% 3. It was learned that he was a relative of. Considering the intraoral findings of our cases, 80% had intraoral bullae and lesions, 73.3% had ankyloglossi and diffuse caries, 70% had microstomy and maxillary atrophy, 66.7% had vestibular sulcus obliteration, 6.7% had enamel hypoplasia, crooked teeth were seen in 60% of them. In addition, it was determined that only 13.3% of our cases had oral hygiene habits. Conclusion: The necessity of a multidisciplinary approach involving medicine and dentists was considered in cases of epidermolysis bullosa. Dental treatment approaches, on the other hand, support normal growth and development along with the return of aesthetics, function and phonation. Dentists and their parents with cases of epidermolysis bullosa should be aware of the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and dental stability. In addition, dentists should be able to master the required dental treatments, atraumatically, under general or local anesthesia, by determining the appropriate form of anesthesia in cases with EB, since microstomy is available. It was thought that studies should continue in order for the epidermolysis bullosa to be understood better by dentists. Key Words: Epidermolysis bullosa, pediatric dentistry, genetics, oral hygiene guidance, dental approach.