IADR Abstract Archives
Fluoride Compliance and Caries Incidence Among Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy
Objectives: Daily fluoride use is necessary to prevent radiation-caries. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance with two methods of fluoride application and rate of new caries formation among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.
Methods: Patients beginning radiation and/or chemotherapy for HNC were randomly assigned to apply 1.1% neutral sodium fluoride (PreviDent® 5000) using either custom trays for 5 minutes at bedtime or for 2 minutes at bedtime using a toothbrush at initiation of cancer treatment. At baseline, all subjects received dental radiographs/examination to document the number of carious surfaces and prophylaxis. All subjects received verbal and written standardized oral hygiene products and instructions. Subjects returned every three months for one year for examination, compliance check, and prophylaxis. Radiographs were taken at six and twelve months. Fluoride compliance was self-reported via a daily log and by weighing the returned fluoride bottle at each visit. ATSU IRB #2017-005
Results: Twenty-two subjects (M=19, F=3), (tray = 12, brush = 10), mean age 66.5 years, completed the study. Mean number of carious surfaces dropped from baseline to 12 months in both groups (tray: mean = 2.45 to 1.92, SD 7.78; brush: mean = 1.7 to 1.6, SD 3.06). Nine subjects (41%) (tray = 4; brush = 5) self-reported stopping fluoride use during the first 3 months; mucositis pain was the primary reason. 50% of subjects assigned to trays self-reported switching to the brush-on method while during active cancer treatment (within the first 3 months). More subjects in the brush group were compliant at 3 months (55.6%) and 12 months (80%) than in the tray group ( 45.5%, 66.7% respectively).
Conclusions: Brushing on fluoride improved compliance during active and following cancer treatment. Fluoride tray and brush-on methods reduced caries in HNC patients.
Methods: Patients beginning radiation and/or chemotherapy for HNC were randomly assigned to apply 1.1% neutral sodium fluoride (PreviDent® 5000) using either custom trays for 5 minutes at bedtime or for 2 minutes at bedtime using a toothbrush at initiation of cancer treatment. At baseline, all subjects received dental radiographs/examination to document the number of carious surfaces and prophylaxis. All subjects received verbal and written standardized oral hygiene products and instructions. Subjects returned every three months for one year for examination, compliance check, and prophylaxis. Radiographs were taken at six and twelve months. Fluoride compliance was self-reported via a daily log and by weighing the returned fluoride bottle at each visit. ATSU IRB #2017-005
Results: Twenty-two subjects (M=19, F=3), (tray = 12, brush = 10), mean age 66.5 years, completed the study. Mean number of carious surfaces dropped from baseline to 12 months in both groups (tray: mean = 2.45 to 1.92, SD 7.78; brush: mean = 1.7 to 1.6, SD 3.06). Nine subjects (41%) (tray = 4; brush = 5) self-reported stopping fluoride use during the first 3 months; mucositis pain was the primary reason. 50% of subjects assigned to trays self-reported switching to the brush-on method while during active cancer treatment (within the first 3 months). More subjects in the brush group were compliant at 3 months (55.6%) and 12 months (80%) than in the tray group ( 45.5%, 66.7% respectively).
Conclusions: Brushing on fluoride improved compliance during active and following cancer treatment. Fluoride tray and brush-on methods reduced caries in HNC patients.