Oral and Dental Management in Children With Congenital Neutropenia

Abstract

Individuals with neutropenia or defective neutrophil disorders exhibit significantly increased susceptibility to oral infections and dental complications compared to the general population. Despite the elevated risk profile associated with these conditions, comprehensive and standardized dental care guidelines for affected individuals remain limited. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates pre-procedural risk stratification, individualized treatment planning, and appropriate post-procedural care strategies. There is a pressing need for well-controlled clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotic regimens and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in mitigating infection risks in this vulnerable population. However, the rarity and heterogeneity of neutrophil disorders pose substantial challenges to the development of evidence-based protocols. Risk assessment must be individualized, tailored to individual patient profiles, considering factors such as the degree of neutropenia, prior history of infections, and the nature of planned dental procedures. Here, we review and summarize guidelines for dental management in patients with congenital neutrophil disorders and propose the need for targeted, evidence-based clinical studies to ensure safe and effective care.

Keywords: congenital neutropenia; oral disease; periodontal‐risk assessment; preventive dentistry; risk assessment.