Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41182512›Full record

ArticleEuropean archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry2026

Barriers and facilitators in oral hygiene maintenance in children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a qualitative investigation.

R Mishra, V P Mathur, S Bakhshi, H Priya, S Ganguly, K Bansal, M Rahul, N Tewari, N Sharawat

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Article in European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

R MishraAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
V P MathurAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. vijaymathur7@gmail.com.
S BakhshiAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
H PriyaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. drharshpriya@gmail.com.
S GangulyJawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
K BansalAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
M RahulAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
N TewariAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
N SharawatAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildren undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at heightened risk for oral complications. Despite clinical recommendations, adherence to oral hygiene practices remains inconsistent. This qualitative study explored the perceived barriers and facilitators of oral hygiene maintenance from the perspectives of caregivers and healthcare professionals involved in pediatric oncology care.

methodsA qualitative descriptive design was employed in a tertiary care cancer center in India. Four focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers (n = 44), and in-depth interviews were carried out with healthcare providers (n = 15), including pediatric oncologists, nurses, and dental professionals. Data were thematically analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Query trustworthiness was ensured through triangulation, reflexive journaling, and respondent validation.

resultsThematic analysis revealed key barriers including chemotherapy-induced oral mucosal changes, caregiver emotional stress, limited awareness of oral infections, and resource constraints. From the provider perspective, inconsistent oral hygiene guidance during thrombocytopenia, outpatient time constraints, and caregiver disengagement were notable challenges. Facilitators included caregiver adaptation, peer and staff support, hospital-provided materials, and provider-led motivation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

conclusionsThis study highlights the multifaceted barriers to oral care adherence in children with ALL and identifies practical strategies for improving caregiver engagement and system-level support. Findings may inform the development of targeted oral health interventions in pediatric oncology settings.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsOral HygienePrecursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-LymphomaAdolescentAttitude of Health PersonnelCaregiversChildChild, PreschoolFemaleFocus GroupsHumansIndiaInterviews as TopicMaleQualitative ResearchAntineoplastic AgentsLeukemiaOral hygieneQualitative

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PMID41182512

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