Oral Health and Sickle Cell Disorder

Dental caries is an almost entirely preventable disease; a statement all dental professionals understand and utilise to direct preventive advice for patients. In view of this, it is important to recognise non-dental health professionals who are responsible for care provision of paediatric patients with conditions that can impact oral health.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is inherited as a dominant trait and haemoglobin morphology is altered. It affects 1 in 2000 live births and affects primarily people of black African and black Caribbean ethnicity. It presents with anaemia and episodes of severe pain, called sickle cell crises, which may require hospitalisation. Individuals with SCD are suggested to be at higher risk of dental caries because of the disorder.

In order to understand the larger oral health picture of children and young people (CYP) with SCD, Mini MCM hosted an oral health stand at a SCD event. The event was facilitated by volunteers from the Red Cell Network (RCN), charities and London hospitals: North Middlesex, University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Whittington Health. Mini MCM carried out a survey to ascertain dental caries experience, dental attendance, and if oral health was discussed by SCD health professionals with patients and families.

In response to this, an oral health information resource for CYP with SCD and their families was developed. Resources have been sponsored by the North Thames Paediatric Network (NTPN).