ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Dental care after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment is crucial to maintaining oral health and preventing/treating oral complications. This survey investigated the experiences and barriers to dental care post-radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: Participants of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (OraRad) were surveyed at approximately 4 years post-RT. Participants completed a 20-question survey which assessed perceptions of dental care and education, barriers to receiving care, and ongoing physical symptoms post-RT. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three of the 505 available OraRad participants completed the survey. Almost all of the respondents (n = 141; 92%) either strongly agreed or agreed that they understand the effects of cancer and its treatment on the teeth, mouth, and jaws. The majority (n = 119; 80%) strongly agreed or agreed that their dentist provided them with information on how to keep teeth, mouth, and jaws healthy after treatment. Most participants reported dry mouth (n = 114; 75%). Other sequelae were problems swallowing (n = 57; 38%), dental caries (n = 33; 22%), and difficulty keeping their mouth open during dental procedures (n = 26; 17%). CONCLUSIONS: The OraRad respondents reported few barriers to dental care post-HNC treatment. Patients continue to suffer oral/maxillofacial side effects of radiation treatment, most notably xerostomia.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Head and Neck Neoplasms , Xerostomia , Humans , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Dental Caries/therapy , Oral Health , Head and Neck Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Xerostomia/etiology , Dental Care , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Curriculum , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/methods , Patient Care , Problem-Based Learning/methods , Safety/standards , Teaching/methods , Communication , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/standards , Educational Status , Faculty, Nursing , Humans , Medical Errors/prevention & control , Models, Educational , Nurse-Patient Relations , Safety Management , Students, Nursing , United StatesABSTRACT
African Americans have higher than average rates of morbidity and mortality for numerous health conditions despite the improvements in overall health in the United States over the past century. Despite the proliferation of material on health promotion and health disparities concerns related to diet and health care for African Americans persist. In the present paper, the authors describe a computer-based nutrition education program designed for use with African American adults. Specific features of the program that qualify it as culturally-tailored are presented and preliminary results demonstrating success in improving nutrition in a church-based sample of 82 adults are provided.
