Methods: a standardized questionnaire form was drafted to register the data in a cross-sectional study (Timone Hospital, Marseille, France). Patients’ inclusion was done between July to December 2011. Inclusion criteria were: Patients with upper digestive tract cancer before any head and neck radiotherapy treatment, of more than 18 years old, having teeth and without any mental deficiency. Descriptive and univariate statistics were used to resume the results using for assessment criteria the DMF index and the periodontal status.
Results: 31 patients were included in this study (8 women and 23 men). The mean age was of 64 years (41 to 84). 25 patients were current or past smokers (81% - mean package of cigarettes/year:34.2) and 18 had alcohol consumption (58%, 2 to 4 times a week, 100% smokers). Only 6 (19%) patients had never smoked and never consumed alcohol. Food habits were two to three meals a day with sugar consumption in 30% of cases. No xerostomy was registered. Oral hygiene (Teeth brushing: 2/day; Gingival Index:1.57; Plaque Index:1.98) was less good than general population but periodontal status (pocket:2.38;gingival recession:1.73;furcation defects:0) was not different (chronic periodontitis: 32%). DMF Index was 15.55 (France general population: 1.94): D=2.0; M=9.68; F=3.84. 110 extractions and 34 dental decays were scheduled.
Conclusions: DMF Index was more raised that of the general population with periodontal status similar with tobacco and alcohol habits for the majority of patients. Consequently, these patients constitute a high-risk group for osteoradionecrosis if dental treatment and dental care are not realized before radiotherapy.