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. 2023 Apr;135(4):501-509.
doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.11.011. Epub 2022 Dec 13.

Survey of experiences and barriers to dental care post-head and neck cancer in OraRad study participants

E Jackson Threet  1 , Joel J Napeñas  2 , Cathleen Petersen  1 , Rebecca Mitchell  3 , Leslie Long-Simpson  3 , Ryann Shadick  4 , Kimberly C Valentino  5 , Cynthia A Rybczyk  6 , Jo-Ann A Blake  7 , Makeda C Brown  8 , Robert Aidoo  3 , Erika S Helgeson  3 , Rajesh V Lalla  6 , Michael T Brennan  9
Affiliations

Survey of experiences and barriers to dental care post-head and neck cancer in OraRad study participants

E Jackson Threet et al. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2023 Apr.

Abstract

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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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures

Conflicts of interest/Competing interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Survey responses (n=153) to questions regarding patient beliefs, priorities, social support and understanding regarding oral care
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Survey responses to questions addressing perceptions of dentist and education from dentist. Only individuals who saw a dentist after cancer treatment (n=148) answered these questions.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Survey responses to questions regarding barriers to finding a dentist (N=153).
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Survey responses to questions regarding barriers to finding a dentist (N=153).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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