As paediatric dental professionals, DDUH consultants Dr Kate Kenny and Dr Kirsten FitzGerald often see the impact that cancer treatment can have beyond the disease itself.
Oral mucositis, a painful inflammation and ulceration of the mouth, affects many children and young people undergoing cancer treatment. It can make eating, drinking and speaking difficult, significantly affecting quality of life and, in severe cases, leading to hospital admission for pain management and nutritional support.
At Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Kate and Kirsten are working on an exciting project to develop and evaluate a dental hygienist-led Photobiomodulation (PBM) service for children receiving cancer treatment.
Photobiomodulation uses red and near-infrared light to support tissue healing and has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of oral mucositis.
CHI is currently the only centre in Ireland providing PBM for paediatric cancer care, and this project aims to build a sustainable model that will:
⭐Improve access to evidence-based supportive care
⭐Reduce the burden of oral mucositis for children and families
⭐Enhance quality of life during cancer treatment
⭐Generate data to guide future service planning and best practice
⭐Explore innovative ways of integrating dental hygienists into specialist paediatric hospital care
This Consultant Innovation Funded project places children, young people and families at its centre while bringing together dental, medical and nursing colleagues to improve care experiences and outcomes.
During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, it is important to recognise that improving outcomes for children with cancer is not only about treating the disease itself. It is also about reducing treatment-related complications and ensuring every child receives the best possible supportive care throughout their cancer journey.