A recent study highlights the potential for dentists to help identify early signs of childhood leukaemia, offering an opportunity for faster intervention and improved outcomes. Leukemic children often exhibit symptoms such as anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly, but early diagnosis can be challenging due to the subtle nature of initial signs. The study focused on identifying clinical and radiographical markers that could aid dentists in spotting these signs.
The research involved 23 children with an initial leukaemia diagnosis, who were assessed clinically for oral signs such as gingival bleeding, gingival masses, aphthous-like ulcerations, and tooth mobility, particularly in the lower first permanent molar. Radiographical evaluations using panoramic radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were also performed to assess bone density and age estimation.
Results showed that 100% of the leukaemia patients displayed gingival bleeding, and 87% had gingival masses. Additionally, radiographical analysis revealed a significant decrease in bone density and an age discrepancy in the LCP group when compared to their actual age, suggesting accelerated bone development or abnormal tooth chronology.
These findings suggest that dentists, through routine clinical and radiographical assessments, could play a pivotal role in the early detection of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children. With the ability to spot early, often subtle signs, dental professionals could bridge the gap between dental care and early systemic disease diagnosis, potentially leading to quicker medical intervention and improved patient outcomes.
Reference
Ghouraba RF et al. Early diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia utilizing clinical, radiographic, and dental age indicators. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):12376.
