Patients with cancer face an assault on oral health from their disease and accompanying treatment options and are vulnerable to developing oral problems; therefore, the maintenance of oral health is particularly important. A study was carried out in one oncology unit within a large teaching hospital to measure the extent of oral problems in cancer patients, current mouth care practices and staff knowledge. The findings showed that oral problems were common, but were: (1) underreported by patients (2) underdiagnosed by doctors and nurses (3) inadequately treated, and (4) inadequately documented. Nursing staff were found to have knowledge deficits. Changes to practice as a result of these findings included the development of oral care guidelines; additionally, patient information leaflets and posters were produced and a staff education programme was introduced. A further audit found that there had been significant improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of oral problems and increased reporting of previously ignored problems by patients.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract