Oral Health Management and Rehabilitation for Patients with Oral Cancer: A Narrative Review

Perceptions and experience of rural older people in oral health management in China: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

To explore the perceptions and experience of oral health management among rural older people in China.

METHODS

Qualitative methodologies were used in this study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thirteen older adults in rural areas were purposively sampled at two metropolitan hospitals in Hunan, China. The data were transcribed and thematically analyzed, and MAXQDA software was used to assist with coding.

RESULTS

Three overarching major themes and ten sub‑themes capturing the perceptions and experience of oral health management among rural older people were identified. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis: oral health cognitive bias, poor management behaviors, and limited oral health services. Oral health management as a whole is negative, oral health behaviors are poor, oral health service utilization is limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, there is great scope here for improving the current status of oral health for rural older people around awareness, behavior, and access. Oral health education, improved oral health services and primary oral health promotion are warranted.

Mandibular guiding flange prosthesis to guide mandibular deviation following partial mandibulectomy and partial maxillectomy for squamous cell carcinoma: A case report

ABSTRACT

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most prevalent cancers affecting the oral cavity. Rehabilitation following surgical treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and care. Multiple disabilities such as dysarthria, dysphagia, unesthetic appearance, and psychosocial disorders following the surgery for carcinoma can greatly impact the quality of life of such patients, thereby necessitating multidisciplinary intervention. The clinician has to wait for the healing of the lesion and the effects of radiotherapy to be dwindled in case a secondary osseous grafting is planned. During this time lag until a more definitive prosthesis is planned, an interim prosthesis is must to correct the mandibular deviation due to the unilateral muscular pull. This case presentation describes the utilization of guiding flange prosthesis (GFP) as an interim modality for the establishment of a stable and functional maxillomandibular relationship following combined ipsilateral partial mandibulectomy and maxillectomy.

[Reconstruction of Head and Neck Defects after Cancer Surgery]

Cancer surgery in the head and neck region often results in complex defects. The reconstructive ladder was developed to guide treatment decisions. In the head and neck region the most straightforward reconstructive technique is often not the most suitable, because it is comprised of many functional and aesthetic subregions that lie close together. If primary closure, secondary wound healing or negative wound pressure therapy are not an option, skin grafting is the next step. Larger or aesthetically and functionally challenging defects are often reconstructed with flap surgery. It is distinguished between local or regional flaps that are rotated or transposed into the defect and distant flaps. The blood supply of local/regional flaps is either random pattern or axial pattern, distant flaps are pedicled or free flaps. The vessels of free flaps are connected to the blood supply in the defect by microvascular anastomoses. The radial forearm flap, the pectoralis major flap and the anterolateral thigh flap are the most common distant flaps in the head and neck region. Preoperative planning is the most important step in reconstructive surgery. The method of reconstruction must be suited to the functional and aesthetic requirements of the defect but also to the morbidity and compliance of the patient and the surgical expertise of the clinic. Not only immediate postoperative complications such as insufficient anastomosis, infections or hematoma but also later, mostly functional complications such as dysphagia or dyspnea must be taken into consideration when planning the reconstruction of a defect in the head and neck region.

Oral Mucosa in Cancer Patients-Putting the Pieces Together: A Narrative Review and New Perspectives

The oral mucosa is a key player in cancer patients and during cancer treatment. The increasing prevalence of cancer and cancer-therapy-associated side effects are behind the major role that oral mucosa plays in oncological patients. Oral mucositis is a debilitating severe complication caused by the early toxicity of chemo and/or radiotherapy that can restrict treatment outcome possibilities, even challenging a patient's survival. It has been referred to as the most feared cancer treatment complication. Predictive variables as to who will be affected, and to what extent, are still unclear. Additionally, oral mucositis is one of the sources of the increasing economic burden of cancer, not only for patients and their families but also for institutions and governments. All efforts should be implemented in the search for new approaches to minimize the apparently ineluctable outburst of oral mucositis during cancer treatment. New perspectives derived from different approaches to explaining the interrelation between oral mucositis and the oral microbiome or the similarities with genitourinary mucosa may help elucidate the biomolecular pathways and mechanisms behind oral mucosa cancer-therapy-related toxicity, and what is more important is its management in order to minimize treatment side effects and provide enhanced cancer support.

Management of Oral Hygiene in Head-Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Oncological Surgery and Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review

Background: In the literature, among oral health prevention programs dedicated to cancer patients, a wide heterogeneity is evident. The purpose of this work is to analyze the available scientific evidence for the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing resective surgery and radiotherapy and to draw up a diversified oral hygiene protocol during oncological therapy. Methods: PubMed was used as database. Studies published from 2017 to September 2022 were analyzed. Studies investigating the effectiveness of the preventive procedures carried out by the dental professionals in HNC patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant therapy have been taken into account. Results: The application of the search string on PubMed allowed the selection of 7184 articles. The systematic selection of articles led to the inclusion of 26 articles in this review, including 22 RCTs, 3 observational studies, and 1 controlled clinical study. Articles were divided according to the debated topic: the management of radiation-induced mucositis, xerostomia, the efficacy of an oral infection prevention protocol, and the prevention of radiation-induced caries. Conclusions: Dental hygienists are fundamental figures in the management of patients undergoing oncological surgery of the maxillofacial district. They help the patient prevent and manage the sequelae of oncological therapy, obtaining a clear improvement in the quality of life.