title: Dental consultation in patients planned for/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers: a questionnaire-based survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mouth and pharyngeal cancers account for approximately 6% of cancers worldwide. Radiotherapy is one of the means of treatment of head and neck cancer. Consultation with a dental team experienced in caring for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer will improve the quality of life of such patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the attitude of oncologists toward dental consultation to patients planning for/prior to/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers and to evaluate the number of radiation oncologists who encounter oral complaints and consider worth referring to a dentist.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based study was carried out following mailing of covering letter and self-administered questionnaire comprising 11 items, to 25 radiation oncology centers selected in India based on convenient sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 25 centers, we received response from 20 centers with 60 completely filled questionnaires. Five centers did not respond for further correspondences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicated a need for awareness and education among radiation oncologists regarding dental consultation in patients planned/undergoing /post radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Apeksha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mainali
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Sumanth
authors.forename: Ravikiran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ongole
authors.forename: Ceena
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denny
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology