Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
June 2015
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
16
Issue:
2

A service review investigating dental extractions in a specialist screening clinic prior to intravenous bisphosphonates for patients with cancer

A service review investigating dental extractions in a specialist screening clinic prior to intravenous bisphosphonates for patients with cancer
D Patel, M Burke, Z Shehabi and Kerr B

Abstract
Aims and objectives: To determine the number of referrals to a dental screening service and need for extractions in patients starting IV bisphosphonates for metastatic cancer. The survival pattern of patients was also established in order to assess the appropriateness of dental treatment provided. Method: This retrospective case series was a convenience sample of patients referred to a hospital screening service. Data were collected over 18 months since the establishment of a clinic. Results: Sixty two oncology patients referred for a dental assessment prior to planned IV bisphosphonate therapy were included in the audit. The mean age was 64, with 51.6% males and 48.4% females. Breast cancer (n=27) and prostate cancer (n=25) were the most common primary disease. Seven patients had lung cancer, of which six were male. The remaining patients had liver, renal and multiple myeloma as their primary oncology disease (n=3). 67.7% (n=42) of patients had dental extractions before commencing IV bisphosphonates; 25.8% (n=16) of patients died within 18 months of their dental assessment. The majority were male (n=11) (p=0.111), with no correlation shown between patient age and death (ANOVA p=0.426). The primary diagnosis and patient death was significant (Chi squared p=0.02). Five of the seven patients with primary lung cancer died within a year. Eight of the patients who died had teeth extracted at their dental assessment, all died within a year. On review, in this group teeth were extracted due to pain symptoms. Conclusions: There is a high need for dental extractions in this group of patients starting IV bisphosphonates. Some patients with bone metastases can have poor survival which should be taken into consideration during treatment planning, particularly those with bone metastases from primary lung cancer. Treatment to relieve symptoms in this group should be a priority.

Key words: Audit, bisphosphonates, cancer, dental treatment

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
54
Page End
58
Authors
D Patel, M Burke, Z Shehabi, Kerr B

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Diary Dates
  2. 0
  3. 0

  1. Editorial
  2. 42
  3. 42

  1. The challenges of oral health data collection among people with intellectual disabilities: results from Special Olympics Australia
  2. 43
  3. 48

  1. Follow-up of Special Olympics athletes post oral health screenings
  2. 49
  3. 53

  1. A service review investigating dental extractions in a specialist screening clinic prior to intravenous bisphosphonates for patients with cancer
  2. 54
  3. 58

  1. Moving away from fee for service is a necessary step in the evolution of dental practice for patients with special healthcare needs
  2. 59
  3. 62

2024 rates