Oral health in cancer palliative care: cross-sectional study

Patients on anticancer therapy attending palliative care services often have oral health problems, but not enough is known in this regard (in India). This cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate this issue.

Participants were 98 patients with metastatic cancer (52 males, 46 females) who attended the palliative care clinic and were assessed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of dental health professionals working alongside the palliative care team, between August 2021 and October 2022. Their demographic and medical details were collected from the charts. Details about oral health were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events for dysphagia and xerostomia, Dental Caries Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and the WHO Mucositis scale. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Module for Oral Health (EORTC QLQ-OH15).

Patients had an average age of 58 years, with 46.9% having an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 1, and 61 (64.9%) receiving anticancer treatment along with palliative care. Dental issues were prevalent, with 39.5% classified as DMFT score grade 2. Subgroup analysis showed higher mean DMFT scores in head/neck cancers, particularly in those receiving radiation therapy (2.3) versus without (1.7), and older age (p<0.05).

Patients with cancer on anticancer treatment attending a palliative care clinic, especially those with head/neck cancers and older age, had poor oral health. Further prospective research with a dentist on the team is warranted to assess its impact.