Objectives: A randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of dental care program on the quality of life (QOL) of head and neck cancer patients under oncological treatment.

Materials And Methods: The study design was a parallel RCT where 46 subjects with a diagnosis of head and neck primary neoplasy were randomly allocated to the control (CG) or test group (TG). Both groups received basic dental care but the TG received a complimentary care before and during, oncological therapy. Data related to general (WHOQOL-BREF) and specific (EORTC QLQ H&N 35) QOL were assessed before and 15 days after the conclusion of the oncological therapy.

Results: The TG showed an improvement in the general and specific QOL, while the CG showed a worsening in these indexes but without significant difference. The variation between the initial and final measures in the TG shows a tendency of significant improvement along the time. A reduction in candidiasis (p < 0.05) and muccositis was observed in the TG.

Conclusion: In a short follow-up period, dental care was able to reduce damage from the oncological therapy especially related to muccositis and candidiasis, although the QOL was not significantly improved. However, a longer follow-up to measure the late side effects over the QOL of these patients is necessary.

Clinical Relevance: Provision of continuous dental care for head and neck cancer patients can reduce deleterious side effects of the oncological treatment.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00784-013-1068-2DOI Listing

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