Patients with head and neck cancers' oral health knowledge, oral health‐related quality of life, oral health status, and adherence to advice on discharge to primary dental care: A prospective observational study. (6th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abed, Hassan; Reilly, Damien; Burke, Mary; Daly, Blánaid
• Is Part Of: Special care in dentistry. Volume 39:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 593
• Page End: 602
• Publication Date: 2019-09-06
• Subjects: head and neck neoplasm -- radiotherapy -- osteoradionecrosis -- oral health knowledge -- oral health related quality of life -- oral health status -- adherence; People with disabilities -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Older people -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Hospital dental service -- Periodicals; Dental Care for Disabled -- Periodicals; Dental Service, Hospital -- Periodicals; Geriatric Dentistry -- Periodicals; 617.60087
• DOI: 10.1111/scd.12418
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-1879

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: This prospective observational study set out to assess patients' oral health knowledge, oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and status immediately posttherapy, and adherence with oral health behaviors posttreatment with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HaNC). Methods: A prospective observational study post HaNC therapy. At time one (T1), prior to discharge to primary dental care, oral health knowledge, OHRQoL, and status were assessed and dental health advice was delivered. At time two (T2), four weeks postdischarge, patients' adherence with dental health advice was reassessed. Results: Thirty people postradiotherapy were recruited (mean age 58.9, SD ± 8.4). Twenty‐three (77%) were men. Thirteen (45%) respondents reported they were not informed about the side effects of radiotherapy. On discharge to primary care, 20 (67%) of the respondents rated their oral health as fair or worse, while 47% were displeased with dental appearance. Respondents reported a mean of 8.6 impacts (SD ± 5.3) on OHRQoL. Five (17%) and two (7%) patients had an established or a new osteoradionecrosis, respectively, and 16 patients (53%) had greater than two new carious teeth. One month postdischarge (T2), adherence with dental advice was high, 93% were registered with a primary care dentist and all brushed their teeth daily. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study in a single‐center, adherence with oral health advice was high. However, participants felt they received little preparatory information about side effects and impacts of radiotherapy on oral and dental health, and how to maintain oral health after radiotherapy.