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Pre-radiotherapy dental extractions in patients with head and neck cancer: a Delphi study
Ciaran Moore1, Conor McLister2, Ciaran O'Neill3
1Restorative Dentistry Department, School of Dentistry, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital site, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom.
Objectives:
To gain a consensus from consultants in restorative dentistry about the types of teeth that should be extracted from head and neck cancer patients (HNC) pre-radiotherapy.
Materials:
Literature- and clinician-informed questionnaires were emailed to an 'expert panel' of consultants (n = 24/28; 86%) in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland on three consecutive occasions (Delphi rounds). The results of Round 1 were used to revise the questionnaire that was distributed in Round 2, and this procedure was repeated for Round 3. During Rounds 2 and 3, participants were asked to indicate, on a 5-point Likert scale, their level of agreement with a series of statements on the types of teeth that should be extracted pre-radiotherapy. The target level of consensus for each statement was 70%.
Results:
In Round 2, there was consensus-agreement for 69 of 102 statements (i.e. ≥ 70% of participants rated 'agree' or 'strongly agree' to the relevant statement). Consensus agreement was also achieved for 20 of 28 statements in Round 3. Therefore, a total of 89 consensus statements are presented that illuminate the decision-making process for the pre-radiotherapy extraction of molar, premolar, and anterior teeth with periodontal pocketing, furcation disease, mobility, caries, tooth-wear, apical disease, or other pathology.
Conclusion:
The statements represent the consensus professional views of participated consultants in restorative dentistry in the UK and Ireland regarding the types of teeth that should be extracted from HNC patients pre-radiotherapy. The results provide a platform for the development of future guidelines.
Clinical Significance:
Pre-radiotherapy dental assessments for head and neck cancer patients are considered mandatory. This study presents different criteria that should be considered for the treatment planning of these patients in relation to pre-radiotherapy extractions, according to the collective consensus opinion of participated consultants in restorative dentistry in the UK and Ireland.
