Abstract
Objective: This study assessed post–radiation therapy dental follow-up compliance in a population
of head and neck cancer patients. Study Design: A total of 334 dental charts were retrospectively reviewed to determine the follow-up
status of dentate patients. All patients were informed of the importance of returning,
after completing radiotherapy, for regular follow-up dental examinations on an indefinite
basis. Data regarding compliance with these follow-up instructions over time were
obtained. Results: Approximately 170 (51%) of the 334 dentate patients were identified as being lost
to dental follow-up. The mean point in time at which follow-up failure occurred was
7.5 months after the initial preirradiation dental examination. Conclusion: Dental follow-up compliance may be poor in this irradiated patient population, with
follow-up failures potentially occurring less than 1 year after the completion of
radiotherapy. Preradiation dental care planning must take into account the likelihood
of patients being lost to follow-up. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:35-8)
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 4,
2001
Received in revised form:
September 2,
2000
Received:
July 14,
2000
Footnotes
*Reprint requests: Joseph A. Toljanic, DDS, The University of Chicago, MC-2108, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, [email protected]
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
