NEED TO PREPARE THE MOUTH BEFORE RADIOTHERAPY TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER IN THE HEAD AND NECK REGION

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2022-09, Vol.134 (3), p.e223-e223
• Main Authors: Filho, Marcos Antonio Pacheco Silva, Barros, Ana Maria Ipólito, Ribeiro, Lucas Nascimento, De Vasconcelos Carvalho, Marianne, De Hollanda Valente, Rômulo Oliveira, Silva, Igor Henrique Morais, De Albuquerque, Raylane Farias
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2212-4403; 2212-4411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.01.708

To evaluate the dental condition and describe the need to adapt the oral environment prior to radiotherapy treatment in the head and neck region. Cross-sectional study with 103 patients with head and neck cancer with indication for treatment with radiotherapy through interview and clinical examination. Nineteen percent of the sample had indications for surgical treatment and 66% for chemotherapy, and all had indications for 3D radiotherapy, with an average dose of 63.5 Gy. As for oral hygiene habits, 82% reported tooth brushing at least once a day and 88% reported never having used dental floss. An average of 14 teeth present per patient was observed, 76% had extraction indicated in the treatment plan, and the most frequent reason was root exposure/furcation injury (46%). In addition, 62% of patients finished all indicated dental treatments and there was an average of 18 days between screening and discharge to start radiotherapy. Most of the population performed the complete adequecy of the oral cavity needed before the beginning of the radiotherapy. Access to health services and the possibility of adhering to dental follow-up after radiotherapy must be taken into account when planning treatment.