Evaluation of parents' perspective on silver diamine fluride application in pediatric oncology patients

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the parents' perspective on silver diamine fluoride therapy in pediatric oncology patients and the factors affecting it. Material and Methods: The study included 100 patients diagnosed with childhood cancer between the ages of 2-6, who were treated or were under control after treatment in Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and their parents. Chi-Square independence test was used in the statistical analysis of the data obtained as a result of the survey, and continuity correction was applied in 2x2 tables. Correlations were determined by Kendal's Tau method. Analyzes were performed with R software. Results: The general acceptance rate of GDF by parents was 62% for anterior teeth and 69% for posterior teeth. According to Kendal's Tau correlation results, a statistically significant and highly positive relationship was determined between acceptability for only anterior teeth and acceptability for posterior teeth. The effect of parental education level on acceptability was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). When sociodemographic data were analyzed, it was found that parental education level and income level had a significant effect on the awareness of radiotherapy (RT)/ chemotherapy (CT)-induced dental caries and dental history (p<0.05). Conclusion: Parents of populations at high risk of caries, such as pediatric oncology patients, need to be informed about the importance of caries in primary teeth and the treatment of GDF. Key Words: Childhood cancer; Primary teeth; Silver Diamine Fluoride; Tooth decay