Educational issues in oral care.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the importance of patient, family, and health care professional education in enhancing oral care and adherence to treatment regimens.


METHODS
Textbooks, review articles, and research studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral complications of cancer therapy influence both patient outcomes and fiscal outcomes. Patient awareness of the importance of oral health improves adherence to the oral care standard. However, the lack of knowledge of health professionals is a barrier to implementing patient education and oral care standards.


CONCLUSIONS
Curriculum should incorporate oral assessment and oral hygiene. Training of oncology nurses must include assessment, prevention, and treatment of oral mucositis.
Daniel
Betty T
BT
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Damato
Kathryn L
KL
Johnson
Judith
J
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*