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A survey of National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers’ oral health supportive care practices and resources in the USA

Supportive Care in Cancer volume 15, pages 357–362 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The oral complications and morbidity resulting from overall cancer therapy utilizing radiation, chemotherapy, and/or stem cell transplantation can have significant impact on a patient’s health, quality of life, cost of care, and cancer management. There has been minimal health services research focusing on the status of medically necessary, oral supportive services at US cancer centers.

Methods

A pre-tested, survey questionnaire was distributed to the directors of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers to assess each institution’s resource availability and clinical practices, as it relates to the prevention and management of oral complications during cancer treatment.

Results

Sixteen of the 39 comprehensive cancer centers responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 56% of the centers did not have a dental department. The sites of delivery of oral supportive care services range from the provision of in-house dental care to community-based, private practice sites. No standard protocols were in place for either oral preventive care or for supportive services for oral complications during or after cancer therapy. Fifty percent of the responding comprehensive cancer centers reported orally focused research and/or clinical trial activities.

Conclusions

Comprehensive cancer care must include an oral care component, particularly for those cancer patients who are at high risk for oral complications. This requires a functional team of oral care providers collaborating closely within the oncology team. Considering the number of cancer patients receiving aggressive oncologic treatment that may result in oral toxicity, the impact of oral conditions on a compromised host, and the potential lack of appropriate resources and healthcare personnel to manage these complications, future research efforts are needed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of present oral supportive care delivery systems at both NCI-designated cancer centers and community-based oncology practices.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois, MC-838, 801 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Joel B. Epstein, Ira R. Parker, Anurag Gupta, Susan Kutis & Daniela M. Witkowski

  2. Chicago Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA

    Joel B. Epstein

  3. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, National Conflict Resolution Center, San Diego, CA, USA

    Ira R. Parker

  4. School of Dentistry University of Washington Box 356365, D322/D323, Seattle, WA, 98195-6365, USA

    Matthew S. Epstein

Authors
  1. Joel B. Epstein
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  2. Ira R. Parker
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  3. Matthew S. Epstein
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  4. Anurag Gupta
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  5. Susan Kutis
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  6. Daniela M. Witkowski
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Correspondence to Joel B. Epstein.

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Epstein, J.B., Parker, I.R., Epstein, M.S. et al. A survey of National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers’ oral health supportive care practices and resources in the USA. Support Care Cancer 15, 357–362 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-006-0160-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-006-0160-4

Keywords

  • Oral/dental care
  • Oncology
  • Comprehensive cancer centers