Hae-Ok Sohn1, Eun-Young Park2, Yun-Sook Jung3, Eun-Kyoung Lee1, Eun-Kyong Kim4. 1. Department of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea. 2. Department of Dentistry, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. 3. Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. 4. Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Science and Technology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of professional oral hygiene care in patients with head-and-neck cancer during radiotherapy, a clinical trial was done. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. For the experimental group, professional oral hygiene care, toothbrushing education, and fluoride varnish application were done once per a week, and for control group, only fluoride varnish application was done once per a week for 8 weeks during radiotherapy. Oral examination including plaque and gingival index was done at baseline and after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that plaque index was improved in the experimental group, but there was no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). Plague and gingival status were significantly improved in both groups after 8 weeks compared to those of baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regular dental visit and professional oral hygiene care during radiotherapy were effective in oral hygiene and health among patients with head-and-neck cancer.
AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of professional oral hygiene care in patients with head-and-neck cancer during radiotherapy, a clinical trial was done. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. For the experimental group, professional oral hygiene care, toothbrushing education, and fluoride varnish application were done once per a week, and for control group, only fluoride varnish application was done once per a week for 8 weeks during radiotherapy. Oral examination including plaque and gingival index was done at baseline and after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that plaque index was improved in the experimental group, but there was no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). Plague and gingival status were significantly improved in both groups after 8 weeks compared to those of baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regular dental visit and professional oral hygiene care during radiotherapy were effective in oral hygiene and health among patients with head-and-neck cancer.