Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess in a cross-sectional study the impact of including dental professionals in the multidisciplinary treatment team of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients on the long-term oral health status.Materials and methodsOral health status, dental care behaviours, and oral health–related quality of life were assessed based on a clinical and radiographic examination, interview, and medical records in patients treated for HNSCC ≥ 6 months ago. This patient group (‘cohort 2’) was treated in a multidisciplinary treatment team including dental professionals and compared to a group of HNSCC patients previously treated at the same university, but without dental professionals included in the multidisciplinary treatment team (‘cohort 1’).ResultsCohort 2 consisted of 34 patients, who had received a dental check-up and if necessary, treatment by dental professionals prior to the initiation of cancer treatment. This cohort showed significantly improved oral hygiene habits and a better periodontal health status compared to cohort 1. However, cohort 2 still presented high demand for treatment due to active carious lesions; only a few, statistically insignificant improvements were detected compared to cohort 1.ConclusionIncluding dental professionals in the multidisciplinary treatment team of HNSCC patients has a positive impact on patient oral health status—primarily in terms of periodontal disease—6 months and longer after finishing cancer therapy.Clinical relevanceA team-based approach including dental professionals specialised in head and neck cancer improves oral health status.
Highlights
Assessment of dental treatment needs and delivery of treatment after diagnosis and prior to treatment initiation of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is considered an integral part in the overall treatment plan [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Clinical Oral Investigations recommendations have been recently published about the timepoint and extent of dental interventions during and after cancer treatment, to minimise the side effects caused by a poor oral health status [2, 3, 5,6,7,8]
The following patient and HNSCC characteristics were retrieved from the medical records: (1) age; (2) gender; (3) registered physical address; (4) site of primary tumour; (5) type of cancer treatment; and (6) time passed since cancer treatment
Summary
Assessment of dental treatment needs and delivery of treatment after diagnosis and prior to treatment initiation of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is considered an integral part in the overall treatment plan [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Inclusion of dental professionals in multidisciplinary treatment teams for HNSCC is considered to provide advantages in terms of secure and fast eradication of oral foci, prior to and during and after cancer treatment [21,22,23]. This may be facilitated through, for example, a more simple and direct communication with the patient, faster handling of the patient, better information on the intended cancer treatment protocol (e.g. region and intensity of radiation), etc., compared to a situation where the patient is referred to or advised to visit his/her regular dentist
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
