[Committee on cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract and survey on buccodental aspects. Report of 164 teams].
BACKGROUND
Head and neck cancer occupies an important place in the field of oncology in France (8%). Patient management requires a wide diversity of treatment modalities and must be based on a multidisciplinary approach.


METHODS
This clinical ethics study was based on analysis of a national survey of current practise in public and private hospital structure. A 28-questions anonymous questionnaire was send to 164 practitioners caring for these patients from the stage of diagnosis and evaluated the modalities of dental treatments and the related ethical aspects.


RESULTS
The competence of the various practitioners in their respective fields is undeniable, but there is a lack of multidisciplinary collaboration. The absence of an oral practitioner is a serious problem and can reduce the patient's chances of cure.


CONCLUSIONS
The oral practitioner must participate in head and neck cancer committees at all steps of treatment in order to provide curative, preventive care and prosthetic rehabilitation, thereby contributing to improvement of the quality of life of these patients.
Moizan
H
H
UFR Odontologie de Nantes, Service d'odontologie Chirurgicale et Restauratrice, CHU Hôtel Dieu, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, 44042 Nantes Cedex 01.
Meningaud
J-P
JP
Giumelli
B
B
Hervé
C
C
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003729:Dental Care / Q000941:ethics; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000941:ethics; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000941:ethics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D013043:Specialties, Surgical