Method: Semi-structured interviews were held with six participants, six months post treatment. Participants were recruited from a larger prospective study using convenience sampling methods. Interview data was analysed using inductive and deductive content analysis. Key concepts from the Transactional Model of Stress, Appraisal and Coping and the University of Washington Quality of Life Survey were used as a coding framework for analysis.
Result: Participants described using a range of problem focused coping strategies to adjust to functional and sensory deficits post treatment. Participants used positive reappraisal to adjust to outcomes of treatment as recovery improved and they returned to a normal life post treatment. Increased oral hygiene practices were used to cope with chronic xerostomia and to manage the risk of adverse oral health outcomes post treatment.
Conclusion: The role of meticulous oral hygiene post head and neck cancer treatment is not only linked to preventing dental disease, but may also influence the coping potential of patients in adjusting to the permanent side effects of treatment. It is noted that the outcomes presented are likely to be a representation of the best outcomes in well-resourced people. As such it underestimates the issues.