Effects of professional oral health care on reducing the risk of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis

Abstract

PurposeRecent years have seen remarkable progress in cancer therapy, although treatment-induced adverse reactions and complications are not uncommon. Approximately 40 % of patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer experience adverse reactions in the oral cavity, with nearly half of them developing severe oral mucositis that necessitates postponing therapy and/or changing the drug dosage. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of prophylactic professional oral health care (POHC) for preventing mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy.MethodsTwenty-six female patients scheduled for chemotherapy for breast cancer were included in this study and randomized to the self-care or POHC groups. Assessment parameters included oral cavity photographs, plaque control records, Saxon test scores, Oral Assessment Guide scores, and grading using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Beginning before surgery and continuing through the completion of chemotherapy, the POHC patient group received weekly professional oral health care, including scaling, professional cleaning of the tooth surfaces, brushing instructions, and nutritional and lifestyle guidance.ResultsMore patients in the self-care group developed oral mucositis than in the POHC group. The Oral Assessment Guide score, which was used as an index of oral mucositis, was also significantly lower in the POHC group. Based on the Oral Assessment Guide and plaque control records, there was almost no deterioration of the oral environment in the POHC group, whereas deterioration was observed in the self-care group.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate the efficacy of regular POHC in reducing the risk of oral mucositis in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Oral health in end‐of‐life patients: A rapid review

“…A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria (See Supporting Information Table 1S). Twelve studies were graded as low‐quality, five as moderate, and two of high quality …”

“…Chen et al . retrospectively divided patients based on the level of dental treatment received in their last year of life.…”

“…The effectiveness of professional oral health care (POHC) in relieving common oral conditions (mucositis and hyposalivation) in EOL patients was a theme shared by two papers . Both found that POHC reduced condition severity.…”

Professional oral health care reduces oral mucositis pain in patients treated by superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy for oral cancer

“…In Japan, the Japan Dental Association and the National Cancer Center recommend preventing adverse dental events by means of dental care before and after surgery for cancer patients, thus improving the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment. Moreover, Yoneyama et al reported on the importance of professional oral health care (POHC) for the elderly [11].…”

Efficacy of Hypozalix spray and propolis mouthwash for prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in leukemic patients: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

“…Although there is still no definite method for the treatment and prevention of oral mucositis, various measures, including oral and dental hygiene, 8 different mouthwashes, 9-11 topical anesthetics such as lidocaine, 12 diphenhydramine, 13 nystatin, sucralfate and psychotherapy 12 are currently suggested. In addition, given many complications of stomatitis caused by chemotherapy, its prevention significantly reduces the cost of health care and also increases patient survival, and use of propolis and artificial saliva is among these methods.…”