Avaliação do conhecimento de graduandos de odontologia acerca das alterações estomatológicas e tratamento odontológico de pacientes oncológicos pediátricos.

Abstract

Child and adolescent cancer and its treatment can cause side effects that affect the oral health and quality of life of children. Therefore, it is essential for dental professionals to receive education that enables them to identify oral lesions and plan specific treatments for each case. The present study aims to evaluate the knowledge and perception of dental undergraduate students at the Federal University of Campina Grande regarding this subject, allowing the identification of possible doubts and providing better guidance for the disciplines responsible for this knowledge. Furthermore, this research aims to assist potential curriculum reforms to address the identified gaps. Data collection was based on Zanini's study (2016) and was carried out through self-explanatory questionnaires. Participating students were enrolled in the 7th to 10th semesters of the aforementioned course. The data were stored, tabulated, and analyzed descriptively using Microsoft® Excel v. 2019 software. The undergraduates were predominantly aged between 20 and 24 years, with 34% of them in the eighth semester. The majority, 79%, reported never having received information about dental treatments provided to pediatric oncology patients. Everyone believes that the dentist can contribute to the quality of life of these patients, but most do not feel competent to provide care or diagnose oral manifestations in them. The participants demonstrated that they would be able to diagnose most of the complications mentioned here. Additionally, it was possible to identify that they frequently reported not knowing how to prescribe treatments for common oral manifestations, yet most of the cited therapies are supported by scientific evidence.