title: Late effects of head and neck radiation therapy and patient/dentist compliance with recommended dental care.
abstract: Head and neck radiation therapy patients have permanent damage to their salivary glands, tissue, and bone. This damage may result in late effects such as: xerostomia, rampant dental caries, demineralization, trismus, and osteoradionecrosis. Therefore, a pretherapy dental evaluation and treatment and compliance with a long-term oral care regimen are necessary. This retrospective study was designed to assess the late effects of radiation therapy and compliance with long-term care recommendations of patients seen in the Oncology Dental Support Clinic at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry during 1981 to 1989. Telephone interviews of patients and their dentists were conducted, and a written questionnaire to the dentists provided further data. Late effects were consistent with those reported in the literature. A compliance rate of approximately 50% was reported. Several measures have been implemented in an attempt to increase compliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry 64108.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cacchillo
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Barker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology*