Dental visits are often linked to hesitance and fear. Who says they are not scary? the vibrations of the airotor, fear of blood, pain etc..can make them feel traumatic. Regular dental visits not only lower the need for more invasive treatment but could also prove to be life saving.
A 21 year old patient came for his routine bi-annual dental check up. During oral examination the dentist noted Pallor of the mucosa.When dug deeper the patient complained of fatigue with simple tasks which he could perform with ease earlier and an increase in the frequency of bouts of cold. He turned an ignorant eye as there were no other significant complains.The dentist suspected Anemia and called for a routine blood work up. The blood workup revealed high levels of WBC, low hemoglobin as well as RBCs and low platelets.The **peripheral blood smear showed and abnormal population of immature WBCs chiefly Myeloblasts.**Hence a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) was made. The patient was then referred to the tertiary care centre for treatment.
AML is a rapidly progressing malignancy and turns fatal if not intervened on time.Leukemia can present with various oral findings: Pallor, bleeding gums, gingival enlargement (classic bluisg-red) and sometimes ulcerations. In the above case the vigilance of the dentist and decision to investigate further, indeed proved to be LIFESAVING.
Have you as clinicians been able to turn your patients dental visits into lifesaving quests? Share your experience
MBH/PS