The dental treatment needs and oral side effects of patients undergoing outpatient cancer chemotherapy

An increasing number of patients receive cancer chemotherapy on an out-patient basis. Dentists therefore need to be aware of the consequences of cancer chemotherapy. Two hundred and eighteen patients attending a specialist oncology centre were examined and the oral side effects recorded. The patients also completed a structured interview to examine the advice they had been given by health care professionals prior to starting chemotherapy. Clinical examination revealed a significant dental treatment need with 16% of patients requiring restorations and 66% requiring professional periodontal care. The commonest oral side effects were altered taste sensation (52%), xerostomia (35%) and mucositis (22%). All these side effects are unpleasant and may have a significant effect on a patient's quality of life.