Improving Dental Care for Patients With Head and Neck Tumors

Overview

This prospective survey study investigates knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and practices related to dental care in patients with head and neck cancer among affected patients and dentists. Participants complete an anonymous online questionnaire before and after receiving written, guideline-based information. The study aims to evaluate whether targeted educational materials improve knowledge and perceptions regarding dental care in the context of head and neck cancer treatment.

This study is a prospective survey-based study using a pre-post design. Patients with head and neck cancer and practicing dentists are invited to participate. Patient recruitment is carried out through existing self-help networks and direct personal contact. National and regional self-help groups for head and neck cancer patients are contacted and asked to disseminate information about the study, including a study information sheet and a QR code linking to the online questionnaire, via their communication channels. Dentists receive an invitation letter containing the QR code to the online questionnaire by postal mail. Participation in the study is voluntary and anonymous. By completing the online questionnaire, participants provide informed consent to participate. Due to the anonymous nature of data collection, withdrawal from the study is no longer possible after submission of the questionnaire. The survey is conducted in accordance with the data protection requirements of the Data Protection Officer of University Medical Center Göttingen, and participants are informed accordingly. All participants initially complete a baseline questionnaire (pre-assessment) collecting demographic data as well as information on knowledge, behavior, attitudes, and experiences related to dental care for patients with head and neck cancer. Subsequently, a written educational intervention is provided. For patients, this consists of concise summaries of patient guidelines on oral cavity cancer, pharyngeal cancer, and supportive care. For dentists, the intervention includes concise summaries of relevant S3 clinical practice guidelines covering diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up of laryngeal cancer, oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer, oral cavity cancer, implant-based oral rehabilitation after head and neck radiotherapy, and supportive care in oncology. The survey for each participant group (patients and dentists) is conducted as a single, continuous, and structured session. After accessing the educational intervention, participants are no longer able to modify their responses to the pre-assessment questionnaire. A second questionnaire with identical content is then completed (post-assessment). The effect of the educational intervention is evaluated by calculating the change (Δ) between pre- and post-assessment values. The development of the educational interventions was informed by findings from a preceding qualitative interview study involving dentists, otolaryngologists, radiation oncologists, and patients with head and neck cancer.