Webinar: Preventing Infections from the Start: Oral Health in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology to Reduce Infections

Preventing Infections from the Start: Oral Health in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology to Reduce Infections

Presented by:

• Katharine Martinez, MPH, RDH
• Jenell Robins, BSDH, RDH

Overview: Join Katharine Martinez and Jenell Robins for a focused session on the vital role of oral health in pediatric hematology and oncology care. This webinar will explore how proactive oral hygiene practices can reduce mucosal barrier injury, lower infection risks, and help prevent CLABSIs in immunocompromised children. Participants will gain practical strategies for assessing oral health, educating patients and families, and integrating effective oral care into multidisciplinary treatment plans.

Learning Highlights:

• Oral health is essential to treatment outcomes in pediatric hematology and oncology, directly influencing infection rates, mucosal integrity, and overall patient well‑being.
• Mucosal barrier injury (MBI) caused by chemotherapy significantly increases vulnerability to bacterial translocation, making strong oral hygiene practices a critical preventive strategy.
• Oral health interventions help prevent MBI‑CLABSIs, reducing the risk of life‑threatening central line–associated bloodstream infections by minimizing bacterial entry points in immunocompromised patients.
• Multidisciplinary integration is key—nurses, oncologists, and oral health professionals must collaborate to embed routine oral assessments, education, and interventions into standard pediatric oncology care.
• A shift toward proactive, preventive care—including complementary and alternative oral health therapies—has strong potential to reduce complications, enhance quality of life, and support better clinical outcomes for pediatric hematology/oncology patients.

Target Audience

This session is open to all registered nurses and allied health care providers.

Learner Outcome(s):

• Learners will demonstrate the ability to educate patients about oral hygiene practices to prevent infections.
• Learners will identify relevant indicators for monitoring oral health improvements and patient outcomes.
• Learners will incorporate or identify strategies essential for improving oral complications related to pediatric hematology/oncology treatment modalities.

Continuing Education Credit

APHON will provide 1 nursing continuing professional development contact hour for successful completion of the webinar. Successful completion includes registration for the webinar session, attestation and attendance of the entire session, and completion of the post-webinar evaluation.

The Webinar and post-webinar evaluation is available for 30 days.

Association for Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 14513.

None of the planners for this activity have relevant financials relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies.