The dissertation titled "Comparison of Oral Health Status, Dental Caries Experience, Salivary Sialic Acid and Salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity in Thalassemic Children and Non-Thalassemic Children" by Dr. Rutika Rajkumar Gawand, a postgraduate student in the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Rural Dental College, Loni, aims to assess and compare various oral health parameters and salivary biomarkers between children diagnosed with thalassemia and their healthy counterparts. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes defective hemoglobin synthesis, leading to chronic anemia and systemic complications. In pediatric patients, the disease often manifests with oral and craniofacial abnormalities, including maxillary enlargement, malocclusion, and a higher risk of dental caries. These complications are often exacerbated by altered salivary composition and reduced oral hygiene maintenance.

This analytical case-control study will include 80 children aged 5 to 12 years—40 thalassemic and 40 non-thalassemic healthy children. The study will be conducted over two years within the facilities of the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, the Department of Pediatrics, and the College of Biosciences and Technology, all under the Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni. The research objectives focus on evaluating and comparing oral hygiene status, caries experience, and key salivary biomarkers such as flow rate, pH, sialic acid levels, and total antioxidant capacity using non-invasive methods. These biomarkers will be assessed through spectrophotometric and pH-based analyses.

The study is based on the hypothesis that thalassemic children exhibit poorer oral health, increased dental caries, and altered salivary composition in comparison to healthy children. The results are expected to highlight the significance of incorporating oral health surveillance and preventive care into the routine management of thalassemic patients. The non-invasive nature of salivary diagnostics provides an efficient and safe means for early detection of oral health risks in medically compromised children. Through this study, the investigator aims to bridge the gap in understanding the oral-systemic link in thalassemia and emphasize the need for integrated dental care approaches in pediatric hematology.