Do head and neck cancer survivors attend a high street dentist on a regular basis?

ABSTRACT

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients face complex oral health issues following treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of HNC patients attending their dentist regularly and investigate clinicodemographic characteristics associated with attendance. Two surveys asked about patient attendance patterns and dentition. Pre-treatment orthopantomographs were evaluated for those treated between 2007-2009. The response rate was 66% (444/672). 69% (305/444) saw a high street dentist regularly. 28% of edentulous patients attended regularly compared with 84% with natural teeth, p < 0.001. Associations at p < 0.001 with regular attendance were the leaving of formal education (> 16 years) and earlier clinical staging. HNC patients should be encouraged to see a dentist regularly for routine dental care and cancer surveillance in partnership with the cancer service.