Managing Oral Health in Cancer Patients: Insights from Dental Teams
Author Information
Author(s): Wemyss Callum, Abdulsalam Ahmed, Beaton Laura, Perry Kirsten, Scott Claire, Stirling Douglas, West Michele
Primary Institution: NHS Education for Scotland
Hypothesis
What are the current practices and beliefs of primary dental care teams in managing patients with a history of cancer?
Conclusion
Dental teams face challenges in providing oral healthcare for cancer patients, indicating a need for targeted support.
Supporting Evidence
- One in two people will experience cancer in their lifetime, impacting oral health.
- Participants reported mixed messages from oncology teams about dental visits during treatment.
- Challenges in communication between dental and medical teams were frequently cited.
- Patients often present with poor pre-existing oral health, complicating treatment planning.
Takeaway
This study shows that dental teams want to help cancer patients but face many challenges, like mixed messages about dental visits during treatment.
Methodology
Online focus groups with dental professionals in Scotland were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Potential Biases
Participants may have more experience or interest in treating cancer patients, potentially skewing results.
Limitations
The study may not represent all dental professionals as participants were self-selecting and may have more interest in oncology care.
Participant Demographics
Participants included dental professionals from various backgrounds, primarily from Scotland.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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