Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

CDHA joins the ACCO in recognizing Children’s Cancer Awareness Month
  • USA - English


News provided by

California Dental Hygienists'Association

Sep 04, 2015, 03:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

www.cdha.org
www.cdha.org

Sacramento CA, (PRWEB) September 04, 2015 -- All of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that our most vulnerable population, our children, can also be the victims of cancer. In the U.S., 15,780 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed each year with cancer, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO).

Because there is a risk of developing side effects which are linked to dental disease, seeing a dentist and/or dental hygienist before cancer treatment begins is imperative.

Post this

There are many types of childhood cancers that range from brain cancer to lymphomas and sarcomas. Treating a child with cancer involves a large team of specialists and oncologists. “Because there is a risk of developing side effects which are linked to dental disease, seeing a dentist and/or dental hygienist before cancer treatment begins is imperative," states California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) President Lygia Jolley, RDH, BA. Both the disease and the treatment can cause many problems that affect the child’s mouth. Among these are dry mouth (xerostomia), mouth sores (mucositis), tooth decay, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), difficulty chewing or opening the mouth (trismus), oral infections, bone disease, inflammation or pain in the lining of the mouth and tongue.

Treatments

According to the American Cancer Society , the types of cancer treatments which have proven to be the most beneficial and effective include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and the new technique of plasma laser surgery.

Chemotherapy is a cocktail of drugs given intravenously to kill the rapidly growing cancer cells. Plasma Laser surgery uses focused lasers directed at the affected cells to destroy them. And radiation therapy is delivered directly to the tumor to kill the cancerous cells. Unfortunately, all three treatment options do damage or produce side effects that can affect the patient. The acute concerns of cancer treatment relate to the child’s immediate overall health, while the chronic effects can have implications regarding the growth of the child.

Oral Considerations

“Dental treatment is an extremely important need before beginning cancer treatment,” states Jolley. "It identifies existing risk factors, oral treatment needs, and oral hygiene care recommendations,” continues Jolley. An appropriate amount of time needs to be considered for oral care before starting cancer treatment. To start, the child needs to visit a dentist and hygienist for evaluations, ideally one month before cancer treatment begins to allow enough time for the tissue to heal following any dental treatment needs. During this phase, the dentist should take a panoramic and full mouth x-rays to look for any abnormalities such as periodontal disease, ongoing infections, or cavities. Additionally, the dentist or hygienist will conduct an oral cancer screening to check for signs cancer that may be present in the mouth. Orthodontic braces also need to be removed, and extraction of any loose and hopeless teeth should also be accomplished at this time.

Cancer treatment related dental education for the child and parents is key for good oral health during the child’s treatment. Overall, good brushing and flossing is imperative. The child’s immune system is compromised during treatment, so extra attention to daily cleanings to keep the mouth clean goes a long way. At the first sign of any oral complications related to cancer treatment, the child should be immediately seen by a dentist or hygienist. Be sure to alert your dental provider to the types of cancer treatment the child is undergoing. Often times, blood work is needed 24 hours prior to care so that the clotting factors and immune system mediators are measured. Additionally, antibiotics may be needed to prevent infections following dental hygiene care. The CDHA suggests the following care tips:

Gently brush your teeth two times a day, and floss regularly. It is important to continue good oral hygiene practices. If the gums are sore, it may also help to soak an extra-soft toothbrush in warm water to soften the bristles before brushing. Prescription rinses are available to relieve oral pain associated with chemo and radiation therapy.

Avoid alcohol based mouth rinses and extremes in your diet. Do not rinse with an alcohol based mouth rinse - choose an alcohol free mouth rinse instead. Food choices should include foods that are soft and mild. Extremely hot, cold, spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods may irritate your mouth and cause damage.

Promote good bone health. Getting enough vitamin D and calcium each day helps promote a strong, healthy jaw and teeth. Dairy products are good sources of calcium and, if fortified, vitamin D. Other food choices may include fortified fruit juice and fortified breakfast cereals. Talk with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Drinking water and sugarless drinks may help manage dry mouth. Sucking on ice chips or using candy sweetened only with Xylitol is a good alternative. Try to avoid things that will dry out your mouth and cause cavities, such as sodas and fruit juice. Topical oral gels or rinses can be prescribed for dry mouth either caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head and neck.

The RDHAP
In some cases, the child cannot go to a dentist for checkups and dental hygiene care. In this case, a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) can be the best option. RDHAPs are licensed hygienists who can work in hospitals, home care facilities, and can travel to the sick patient’s home to provide dental hygiene care. RDHAPs do not need a dentist present to provide dental hygiene care. They are able to do oral screening, place sealants, and clean a patient’s teeth without having them leave the bed or his/her comfort place. To find an RDHAP, visit http://www.cdha.org/rdhap.
Following Successful Cancer Treatment

It is important to receive ongoing dental examinations following cancer treatments, as after after effects can be far reaching.

Children who have been under chemotherapy before their permanent teeth were fully formed, especially if they were younger than five years old at the time of treatment, are at greater risk of future dental problems. In addition, radiation therapy near or in the mouth will affect the salivary glands and may cause permanent loss of salivary function. This may lead to a life long increased risk for dental decay and periodontal disease. Radiation therapy can also cause unintended nerve damage creating taste alteration which can lead to disruptions in diet.

Chemotherapy affects bone density by decreasing the level of calcium in the body. As a result, the growing child can develop TMJ problems, locking of the jaw, asymmetrical growth of face and jaw bone, abnormally sized/shaped teeth, or severe orthodontic complications.

It is very important to consult with your doctors and dental care team regarding any questions or concerns before, during, and after any cancer treatment of your child.

The CDHA recommends visiting its website for more information: http://www.cdha.org

The California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state’s dental hygiene profession. The organization was established 30 years ago when two regional associations merged to form a unified professional group. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists.

CDHA, California Dental Hygienists'Association, http://www.cdha.org, +1 916-993-9102, [email protected]

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.