Patient Experience of Preirradiation Dental Screening Prior to Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

To explore the preirradiation dental screening experiences of patients with head and neck cancer and how this understanding can contribute to the enhancement of nursing practice.

In 2022 and 2023, patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer with planned radiation therapy were recruited. The study was conducted at a university hospital in Denmark, where preirradiation dental screening is an integrated component of the fast-track cancer pathway.

A qualitative, phenomenologic-hermeneutic design was applied, employing semistructured telephone interviews with 10 patients. Detailed field notes were used to construct individual patient narratives. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to capture the depth and variation in patients' lived experiences.

Four main themes were identified: anxiety for the future and the dentist, information overload, the stressful day, and confidence in efficiency. Overall, patient experiences clustered into two overarching patterns: compromised course and successful course.

Patients' experiences vary widely. Anxiety, information overload, and stressful logistics may compromise the patient's experience, whereas clear information and supportive interactions may result in confidence. It is recommended that nursing practice prioritize individual support using Henderson's model, ensuring that needs are addressed and managing information overload throughout the complex treatment process of preirradiation dental screening.