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Oral Health Screening Prior to Oncological Treatment-The Helsinki Protocol
Jemina Järvinen1,2, Johanna Uittamo1,2, Hanna Välimaa1,2,3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Oral Diseases
|April 8, 2026
Summary
Oral health evaluations are crucial before cancer treatment. Over half of patients required tooth extractions due to infection foci, with smoking increasing this need.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Oral Medicine
- Dental Surgery
Background:
- Cancer treatments like radiotherapy and antiresorptive therapy can lead to severe oral health complications, including osteonecrosis.
- Proactive dental assessment is vital for patients undergoing these treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the oral health status of head and neck cancer patients prior to radiotherapy.
- To assess oral health in patients with multiple myeloma, breast, prostate, lung, and kidney cancers before commencing antiresorptive therapy.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 154 patients at Helsinki University Hospital in 2021.
- Utilized the Helsinki protocol for same-day dental screening, assessment, counseling, and extractions.
Main Results:
- 61.7% of patients needed at least one tooth extraction due to infection foci before oncological treatment.
- Multiple myeloma patients required fewer extractions compared to other antiresorptive therapy patients (p=0.006).
- Smoking was significantly associated with the need for extractions (p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- The Helsinki protocol facilitates efficient pre-treatment oral health management without delaying cancer therapy.
- Head and neck cancer patients and those on antiresorptive therapy require essential dental evaluations.
- A significant proportion of patients present with infection foci necessitating extraction.
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