Dental Treatment Needs in Thalassemia Major Patients, Sari, Iran

Patients with thalassemia major need more dental care because of their special health conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental health and therapeutic needs of these patients in Sari, Iran 2018.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was done using a researcher-made form and direct observation in 144 cases attending Sari Thalassemia Center. The subjects included thalassemia patients (41 males and 34 females) and 69 individuals as the control group. The needs for dental treatment and prevalence of dental problems were recorded using Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Data analysis was done in SPSS V24.

There were significant differences between the two groups in DMFT index (P< 0.001), decayed teeth (P= 0.004), and missing teeth (P=0.001). In fact, the values except the mean number of filled teeth were higher in thalassemia patients (P=0.150). Pulp therapy was the most common treatment needed in thalassemia patients while dental filling was more needed in control group.

High prevalence of dental caries in patients with thalassemia major highlights the need for effective preventive measures, appropriate health trainings, and dental treatments in this group.