title: Oral hygiene in patients with oral cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy after prosthesis rehabilitation: protocol proposal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness and the importance of an oral hygiene (OH) protocol in patients undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy after prosthesis rehabilitation, in order to reduce or minimize oral complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out at the Department of Dental Science, at the University of Bari-Italy from December 2012 to December 2015 on 34 selected patients with primary oral cancer undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy after prosthesis rehabilitation. They were divided into 2 groups according to their age, sex and cancer therapy. Seventeen patients were assigned to the control group and seventeen in the experimental one. In the experimental group (Table 1), patients underwent an oral hygiene protocol whereas in the control group (Table 2) patients received the usual care provided within the clinical setting. All the patients gave written informed consent. It has been asked and obtained the authorisation from the Ethics Committee of the Dental Science and Surgery Department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results show that in patients undergoing the oral hygiene protocol, the complications and the risks of infection and permanent dental problems have been minimized. Indeed, of the seventeen patients undergoing the OH protocol, 70% obtained positive results and were satisfied with the program outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of the health care providers is essential to educate patients to adhere to the prescribed treatments and reinforce their motivation in oral hygiene. The oral hygiene procedures prevent and ameliorate oral complications due to the radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - Section of Dentistry, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rapone
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - Section of Dentistry, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DI Venere
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - Section of Dentistry, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pettini
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - Section of Dentistry, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corsalini
keywords: chemotherapy; oral cancer; oral hygiene protocol; radiotherapy