Oral health status and dental care behaviours of head and neck cancer patients: a cross-sectional study in an Austrian tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the oral health status and dental care behaviours of patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in an Austrian tertiary hospital.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Dental care behaviours, oral hygiene level, caries, and periodontal parameters were assessed in 48 patients treated for HNSCC >6 months ago.

RESULTS

Only 52 % requested a dental check-up after HNSCC diagnosis and prior to treatment, and of those, 80 % received some type of dental treatment. At time-point of clinical examination, 69 % of the patients had consulted a dentist within the last year, but 88 % still needed dental treatment; 75 % had at least one tooth with caries and 78 % had moderate to severe periodontitis.

CONCLUSION

Although it was recommended, only half of the patients did consult a dentist prior to HNSCC treatment and oral health appeared, in general, low prioritized.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: About 90 % of the current group of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer patients presented large treatment needs, both in regard with caries and periodontal disease, about 20 months after cancer treatment.