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| ORIGINAL RESEARCH |
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| Year : 2011 |
Volume
: 22 | Issue : 5 | Page
: 669-672 |
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Dental consultation in patients planned for/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers: A questionnaire-based survey
Apeksha Mainali1, KN Sumanth2, Ravikiran Ongole3, Ceena Denny3
1 Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Kanthipur Dental College Hospital and Research Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal
2 Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia
3 Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India
Correspondence Address:
K N Sumanth
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka
Malaysia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0970-9290.93454
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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.
Aims and Objectives: 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.
Materials and 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.
Conclusion: 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. |
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