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Special Health Care Needs

21 - Dental Anomalies in Leukodystrophy: An Age- and Sex-Match Cohort Study

Friday, May 22, 2026
10:40 AM - 10:55 AM PST
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Abstract:


Purpose: This observational cohort study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dental anomalies in pediatric patients with leukodystrophy compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls along with medical findings relevant to pediatric dental management.



Methods: This retrospective chart review, conducted at Children’s Hospital Colorado, screened 1.5 million patients for a diagnosis of leukodystrophy. Records of 66 leukodystrophy cases (1–19 years) were identified, reviewed, and compared with an age- and sex-matched healthy control group. Clinical dental examinations and available radiographic records were evaluated for anomalies of tooth number, shape, position, structure, and pathology. Medical comorbidities and documentation of dental utilization were also assessed. Prevalence differences between groups were analyzed using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests.



Results: No statistically significant differences were identified in the prevalence or distribution of dental anomalies between patients with leukodystrophy and controls (P >.05). However, patients with leukodystrophy were less likely to have documented routine dental examinations or diagnostic radiographic imaging. Presence of medical findings were significantly higher in the leukodystrophy as compared to the control cohort (P <.05). A higher proportion of cases in the leukodystrophy cohort were non-verbal as compared to the controls (P <.05).



Conclusions: Leukodystrophy was not associated with an increased prevalence of dental anomalies. Nonetheless, reduced access to routine dental care among affected patients highlights a gap in interdisciplinary care. Integration of pediatric dental services with medical care may improve oral healthcare outcomes for children with leukodystrophy. Further studies should explore interdisciplinary care models to address barriers to dental access in this population.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: No funding was received for this project.