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Thalassaemia - part 2: the patient perspective

British Dental Journal volume 233, pages 998–1002 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

This is the second part of the thalassaemia update series which focuses on the dental journey of thalassaemia patients and the challenges encountered. This paper is a guide for recently qualified dentists who may not be experienced in the clinical implications of thalassaemia. A patient focus group was carried out with the UK Thalassaemia Society (UKTS) using a semi-structured interview format. All participants suffered from beta-major thalassaemia. The interview was conducted at the UKTS head office in London, UK. Participants consented for this interview and written consent forms were reviewed and completed by the author. The objectives were to: 1) review feedback from thalassaemia patients on the quality of dental care they receive in primary dental services; 2) evaluate the influence of social media in the thalassaemia community and how this has affected the self-confidence of thalassaemia patients; and 3) identify protocols that can be implemented for the primary care management and criteria for secondary care referral of thalassaemia patients.

Key points

  • Helps with understanding the complications thalassaemia patients can experience with primary dental care and discusses ways in which dental care is maximised.

  • Reviews the influence of social media on how thalassaemia patients perceive themselves.

  • Discusses surgical interventions and how these can affect the dental care of thalassaemia patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Core Trainee 1 in Restorative Dentistry and General Duties, Barts Health Trust, Royal London Dental Hospital, Turner Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 1DE, UK

    Brasanyaa Raveendran

  2. Specialist in Oral Surgery, Barts Health Trust, Royal London Dental Hospital, Turner Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 1DE, UK

    Mohammed Dungarwalla

Authors
  1. Brasanyaa Raveendran
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  2. Mohammed Dungarwalla
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Contributions

Both authors have been actively involved in the design of publication. Brasanyaa Raveendran was responsible for research and information analysis with the guidance of Mohammed Dungarwalla as the proofreader. The final publication has been reviewed and finalised by both authors.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brasanyaa Raveendran.

Ethics declarations

As per the NHS HRA decision tool, this project was not considered as research and as such, ethical approval was not required. Written consent to participate was obtained from participants and written consent to publish was obtained to confirm they are happy for their information to be published.

There are no conflicts of interest to be declared.

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Cite this article

Raveendran, B., Dungarwalla, M. Thalassaemia - part 2: the patient perspective. Br Dent J 233, 998–1002 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5308-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5308-1

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