Integrating Pediatric Dentistry Into Multidisciplinary Palliative Care for Pediatric Oral Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Public Health Dentistry, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, India
- 2School of Dentistry, Central Asian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- 3Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, Malaysia
- 4Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, M.A Rangoonwalla College of Dental Science and Research Centre, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Pune, India
- 5Department of Dental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University), Pune, India
- 6Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
Abstract
Background: Oral cancer is a rare but highly morbid childhood cancer. Multidisciplinary palliative care is needed for children with oral cancer but the role and integration of paediatric dentistry in these teams is poorly understood. This scoping review seeks to identify and map the evidence on the role of paediatric dentistry in multidisciplinary palliative care (MDPC) for paediatric oral cancer patients.
Methods: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review method and PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, searches of six electronic databases from inception to January 2025 were undertaken. Inclusion criteria were reports of dental management, oral health management, or the role of dental professionals in the palliative care of children with cancer. A data extraction form was developed and data were synthesised narratively.
Results: Forty-two studies were included. Four themes were identified: (1) oral side effects of cancer and its treatment; (2) preventative and therapeutic dental care; (3) integrated models of care; and (4) barriers to integration. There is clear evidence that oral mucositis, xerostomia, trismus and dental developmental disturbances have significant impact, yet paediatric dentists are consistently absent from formal palliative care teams. Effective integration leads to better quality of life (QoL) and symptom control.
Conclusions: There is a significant need for formalisation of paediatric dentistry in MDPC teams for oral cancer. Policies, referral and training guidelines are needed. Prospective longitudinal and patient-reported outcomes should be the focus of future research.
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BibTeX
@article{haque2026integrating,
title = {{Integrating Pediatric Dentistry Into Multidisciplinary Palliative Care for Pediatric Oral Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review}},
author = {Nagma Naz Haque and Riddhi Chawla and Akarsha Singh Multani and Niladri Maiti and Prachi Joshi and Ritik Kashwani and Kulkarni Thapa},
journal = {Sage Open Pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1177/30502225261490945},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/30502225261490945},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrating Pediatric Dentistry Into Multidisciplinary Palliative Care for Pediatric Oral Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
AU - Nagma Naz Haque
AU - Riddhi Chawla
AU - Akarsha Singh Multani
AU - Niladri Maiti
AU - Prachi Joshi
AU - Ritik Kashwani
AU - Kulkarni Thapa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/16
JO - Sage Open Pediatrics
DO - 10.1177/30502225261490945
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/30502225261490945
AB - Background: Oral cancer is a rare but highly morbid childhood cancer. Multidisciplinary palliative care is needed for children with oral cancer but the role and integration of paediatric dentistry in these teams is poorly understood. This scoping review seeks to identify and map the evidence on the role of paediatric dentistry in multidisciplinary palliative care (MDPC) for paediatric oral cancer patients. Methods: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review method and PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, searches of six electronic databases from inception to January 2025 were undertaken. Inclusion criteria were reports of dental management, oral health management, or the role of dental professionals in the palliative care of children with cancer. A data extraction form was developed and data were synthesised narratively. Results: Forty-two studies were included. Four themes were identified: (1) oral side effects of cancer and its treatment; (2) preventative and therapeutic dental care; (3) integrated models of care; and (4) barriers to integration. There is clear evidence that oral mucositis, xerostomia, trismus and dental developmental disturbances have significant impact, yet paediatric dentists are consistently absent from formal palliative care teams. Effective integration leads to better quality of life (QoL) and symptom control. Conclusions: There is a significant need for formalisation of paediatric dentistry in MDPC teams for oral cancer. Policies, referral and training guidelines are needed. Prospective longitudinal and patient-reported outcomes should be the focus of future research.
SN - 3050-2225
ER -