Follow-up of need for dental treatment in 126 patients who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck region.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the need for dental treatment, compliance with post-radiation prophylactic care and incidence of long-term complications following radiotherapy to the head and neck.

Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of dental records of patients referred for oral examination before radiation treatment to the head and neck between 2006 and 2016. Data of dental status and need for dental treatment before radiation therapy were used as baseline information. Dental records could be obtained from 126 patients (men n = 74; women n = 52). The mean time from completed radiotherapy to follow-up was 5.8 years (SD 2.9).

Results: The need for dental treatment was for the majority of patients relatively modest and mainly due to caries and fractures of teeth or fillings, but extensive need for dental treatment was noted in a few patients. One hundred and twenty-five out of 126 patients had complied with individual post-radiation prophylactic care programmes provided by the regular caregiver. Ninety-two out of 126 obtained dental records (73%) described hyposalivation and/or xerostomia. Osteoradionecrosis developed in 11 patients (8.7%), frequently requiring long-term treatment.

Conclusions: The results indicate that dental status may often be preserved if the patient is given regular information on oral hygiene and complies with prophylactic follow-up. Individual cases develop serious complications, and dental hygienists and dentists must be observant on early signs of rampant caries, trismus and osteoradionecrosis.