CHANDIGARH, 04.11.25-The Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry Unit, Oral Health Sciences Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, hosted the 1st Symposium on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Oral Health Care in Pediatric Hemato-Oncology. The event attracted over 150 delegates, including eminent experts, clinicians, and postgraduate students from various parts of North India. It served as an interactive platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, and formulating strategies to enhance oral health care for pediatric patients battling hematological malignancies.

The symposium was inaugurated by Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Research) PGIMER, who praised the initiative and emphasized the Institute’s ongoing commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration in enhancing patient-centered care. Dr. Aditi Kapur, Professor-In-Charge of the Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry Unit, OHSC, PGIMER, and the Organizing Secretary of the event, emphasized that oral health is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of comprehensive cancer care and more research is needed to understand its implications on overall treatment outcomes. Dr. Deepak Bansal, Pediatric Hematology and oncology Unit,PGI discussed various medical aspects to consider in the dental management of these patients, while Dr. Priyanshi Ritvik, Prof. of Pediatric Dentistry at UT School of Houston, delivered an online lecture on practical insights into building a holistic integrated medical and dental care approach for these children. A highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring eminent experts: Dr. Amita Trehan, Prof. & Head, Pediatric Hematology Unit, PGIMER, Chandigarh; Dr. Ashima Goyal, Prof. Oral Health Sciences Center; Dr. Rachna Seth, Prof. Pediatric Oncology, AIIMS, New Delhi; and Dr. IK Pandit, Principal, DAV Dental College, Yamunanagar.

Dr. Rahul Morankar, Associate Prof. of Pediatric Dentistry
at AIIMS, spoke about the late complications in the dentition of these children and their implications on quality of life, drawing from his extensive research. Dr. Pavithra Devi,Assistant Prof. of Pediatric Dentistry at OHSC, PGIMER, discussed various cases treated at the Centre and provided practical insights into their dental management at different phases of chemotherapy.