07 February 2023

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Thalassemia: a clinical update for the dental team

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Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin function. It is an abnormality of hemoglobin caused by mutation of genes related to alpha or beta globin chains that can be further subdivided into categories. These hematological conditions can vary from mild forms, which present as mild anemia, to severe forms, that can become life-threatening. The window for dental treatment is often limited by several factors involving medical management, such as the need for antibiotic cover or blood transfusions. The lifetime management of the medical conditions are onerous and can place significant physical and psychological burden on the patient. This paper is part of a two-part series on thalassemia. Part one focuses on the clinical manifestations patients may present with, treatment regimens and dental implications of such presentations. Part two explores the perspectives of thalassemia patients on their dental experience.

Key points

• Screening in patients with thalassemia can enable detection of dental disease and facilitate early access to dental care services.
• Thalassemia patients can present with a range of orofacial manifestations, which may benefit from early dental intervention.
• Evaluates emerging therapies for thalassemia and identifies the dental implications this may trigger.

Raveendran, B., Dungarwalla, M. "Thalassaemia - part 1: a clinical update for the dental team." Br Dent J 233, 931–937 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5302-7