A case for a dental surgeon at regional radiotherapy centres.
This paper looks at the need for a dental surgeon to work at Regional Radiotherapy Centres to provide a dental service to head and neck cancer patients. A retrospective study of 1980 hospital records was conducted to see if patients had received dental assessment prior to radiotherapy. Only 13.2% were identified as having had dental treatment. Two hundred and fifty sequential patients were dentally examined between January and June 1990, prior to radiotherapy. Sixty-eight per cent required and received immediate dental treatment, 20.8% were edentulous and had ill-fitting dentures. These patients were at risk of developing dentally related complications of radiotherapy. Only 11.2% were regular dental attenders and were dentally fit.
Lizi
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EC
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Wirral Hospital Trust, Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003815:Dentists; D004739:England; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000078329:Workforce