Comparison of hospitals' dental consultation rates for head and neck cancer patients.

ABSTRACT

Significant morbidity can result in patients being treated for head and neck cancer (H&NC) if dental disease is not under control before medical therapy is initiated. This study compared the rates of dental consultation in three teaching hospitals in a midwestern metropolitan area for patients being treated for H&NC. One of the hospitals has an oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) clinic, while the other two hospitals have general dental and OMFS clinics. The medical records of 104 H&NC patients were retrospectively examined for a rate of referral to dental professionals, type of medical treatment, and oral complications with medical/surgical therapies. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences between hospitals related to the rates of dental consultation and oral complications. The dental consultation rates were low overall, ranging from 12.1 to 39.5%. These rates were not influenced by the presence of a general dental clinic. Because dental interventions can reduce the severity or prevent oral complications in H&NC patients, efforts to explain these results and enhance cooperative protocols represent a significant need.