RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Prophylactic oral care (POC) before radiotherapy (RT) is an adjunct but an integral process toward preparing patients for RT, however, time to be invested in POC remains unexplored. METHODS: Prospective treatment records were maintained in head and neck cancer patients, who received POC following a standardized protocol with definite timelines. Data collected for oral treatment time (OTT), interruption in RT due to oro-dental issues, future extraction(s), and incidence of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) up to 18 months after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-three patients, 275 males and 58 females, mean age 52.45 ± 11.2 years were included. Mean OTT was 21.0 ± 6.2 days and was influenced significantly with the number of extractions (p < 0.00). There was no interruption in RT schedule due to oro-dental issues. Five patients were diagnosed with ORN. CONCLUSION: Performing POC as demonstrated aid in timely removal of nidus of infection(s), perform RT as scheduled, and maintain satisfactory oral health through the survivorship of patients.
