Sumanth Kn

Dental consultation in patients planned for/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers: A questionnaire-based survey

BACKGROUND Mouth and pharyngeal cancers account for approximately 6% of cancers worldwide. Radiotherapy is one of the means of treatment of head and neck cancer. Consultation with a dental team experienced in caring for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer will improve the quality of life of such patients. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the attitude of oncologists toward dental consultation to patients planning for/prior to/undergoing/post radiation therapy for head and neck cancers and to evaluate the number of radiation oncologists who encounter oral complaints and consider worth referring to a dentist. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire-based study was carried out following mailing of covering letter and self-administered questionnaire comprising 11 items, to 25 radiation oncology centers selected in India based on convenient sampling. RESULTS Out of the 25 centers, we received response from 20 centers with 60 completely filled questionnaires. Five centers did not respond for further correspondences. CONCLUSION The study indicated a need for awareness and education among radiation oncologists regarding dental consultation in patients planned/undergoing /post radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Glass embedded in labial mucosa for 20 years

Foreign bodies may be deposited in the oral cavity either by traumatic injury or iatrogenically. Among the commonly encountered iatrogenic foreign bodies are restorative materials like amalgam, obturation materials, broken instruments, needles, etc. Few reports of glass pieces embedded in the soft tissues of the mouth have been published. We report a case where glass pieces had been lodged in the lower labial mucosa for 20 years, with consequent peripheral reactive bone formation.

Prevalence of Oral Lesions Associated with Chewing Habits in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka, India

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of various types ofmucosal lesions associated with different forms of arecanut/tobacco chewinghabits. Material and Method The study was carried out by examining 640 patients with chewing habithistory for one year, in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology andat various community oral health camps. A through habit history was takenand clinical examination were done for any oral lesions present. Results The most prevalent chewing habit was gutka followed by betel quid, tobaccoand arecanut or combinations of habit. Oral lesions were present in 352subjects. The prevalence of oral lesion in decreasing order were- oralsubmucous fibrosis, chewers mucosa, tobacco pouch keratosis, leukoplakia, lichenoid reaction, carcinoma and coated tongue or combination of lesions. Conclusions Our study revealed a high chewing habit related oral mucosal lesions. Thereis an urgent need for awareness programs for the prevention and earlydiagnosis of the lesions.