A retrospective oral/dental evaluation of 92 head and neck oncology patients, before, during and after irradiation therapy.

Ninety-two head and neck radiation/oncology patients were referred for a pre-irradiation dental examination. Of these patients, 48 required at least one extraction, and 51 required at least one restoration. Only 19 patients did not require extractions, restorations or endodontic therapy. All but one patient required a dental prophylaxis. The oral complications of head and neck irradiation therapy were evaluated and discussed. The importance of adjuvant oral/dental care for the head and neck radiation/oncology patient is addressed. The distribution of patients requiring treatment (extractions, restorations and/or endodontic therapy) versus no treatment (a dental prophylaxis only) showed that a significantly higher number of patients (chi-square = 37.5; p less than 0.01) required treatment over no treatment.