Oral health and caries risk profile assessment using the Cariogram in thalassemia patients with or without splenectomy: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Splenectomy is performed in β-thalassemia cases due to the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs), and the consequent splenomegaly.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare oral health and the caries risk between β-thalassemia patients with or without splenectomy, using the Cariogram.

Material And Methods: In a cross-sectional study carried out in both the Maternity and Children Hospital and the King Fahad Hospital, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia, interviews, salivary sampling and oral clinical examinations were performed on 60 children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major (mean age: 13 ±3 years; 65% with splenectomy).