TY - JOUR
T1 - Survey of experiences and barriers to dental care post–head and neck cancer in OraRad study participants
AU - Threet, E. Jackson
AU - Napeñas, Joel J.
AU - Petersen, Cathleen
AU - Mitchell, Rebecca
AU - Long-Simpson, Leslie
AU - Shadick, Ryann
AU - Valentino, Kimberly C.
AU - Rybczyk, Cynthia A.
AU - Blake, Jo Ann A.
AU - Brown, Makeda C.
AU - Aidoo, Robert
AU - Helgeson, Erika S.
AU - Lalla, Rajesh V.
AU - Brennan, Michael T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - Purpose: Dental care after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment is crucial to maintaining oral health and preventing/treating oral complications. This survey investigated the experiences and barriers to dental care post–radiation therapy (RT). Methods: Participants of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (OraRad) were surveyed at approximately 4 years post-RT. Participants completed a 20-question survey which assessed perceptions of dental care and education, barriers to receiving care, and ongoing physical symptoms post-RT. Results: One hundred fifty-three of the 505 available OraRad participants completed the survey. Almost all of the respondents (n = 141; 92%) either strongly agreed or agreed that they understand the effects of cancer and its treatment on the teeth, mouth, and jaws. The majority (n = 119; 80%) strongly agreed or agreed that their dentist provided them with information on how to keep teeth, mouth, and jaws healthy after treatment. Most participants reported dry mouth (n = 114; 75%). Other sequelae were problems swallowing (n = 57; 38%), dental caries (n = 33; 22%), and difficulty keeping their mouth open during dental procedures (n = 26; 17%). Conclusions: The OraRad respondents reported few barriers to dental care post-HNC treatment. Patients continue to suffer oral/maxillofacial side effects of radiation treatment, most notably xerostomia.
AB - Purpose: Dental care after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment is crucial to maintaining oral health and preventing/treating oral complications. This survey investigated the experiences and barriers to dental care post–radiation therapy (RT). Methods: Participants of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (OraRad) were surveyed at approximately 4 years post-RT. Participants completed a 20-question survey which assessed perceptions of dental care and education, barriers to receiving care, and ongoing physical symptoms post-RT. Results: One hundred fifty-three of the 505 available OraRad participants completed the survey. Almost all of the respondents (n = 141; 92%) either strongly agreed or agreed that they understand the effects of cancer and its treatment on the teeth, mouth, and jaws. The majority (n = 119; 80%) strongly agreed or agreed that their dentist provided them with information on how to keep teeth, mouth, and jaws healthy after treatment. Most participants reported dry mouth (n = 114; 75%). Other sequelae were problems swallowing (n = 57; 38%), dental caries (n = 33; 22%), and difficulty keeping their mouth open during dental procedures (n = 26; 17%). Conclusions: The OraRad respondents reported few barriers to dental care post-HNC treatment. Patients continue to suffer oral/maxillofacial side effects of radiation treatment, most notably xerostomia.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.11.011
DO - 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.11.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 36717342
AN - SCOPUS:85147122558
SN - 2212-4403
VL - 135
SP - 501
EP - 509
JO - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
JF - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
IS - 4
ER -
