BACKGROUND: This research was aimed to critically evaluate, under the light of the available scientific evidence, the oral care protocols recommended by different hospitals in @entity135 ( @entity135 ) @entity1 under radiation therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire requesting all the relevant information for the oral care of these @entity1 was sent to the 9 University Hospitals in Madrid. The answers were categorized and analyzed. In addition, an electronic search was conducted to identify the most relevant papers (systematic reviews [SR] and randomized clinical trials [RCTs]) assessing oral care protocols for @entity1 treated for @entity135 with radiation therapy. RESULTS: Eight out of nine centers answered the questionnaire and the retrieved information was tabulated and compared. These recommendations were analyzed by a computerized search on MEDLINE and the Cochrane Oral Health Collaboration Database. The results of the analysis clearly shown a great heterogeneity, in terms of oral health care protocols, regarding the management of irradiated @entity1 (for @entity135 ) within the Hospitals of Madrid region. In addition, some of the recommendations lack solid scientific support. CONCLUSIONS: The present survey revealed that the recommendations provided by the different hospitals were clearly different. The available evidence, supported by SR and RCTs, suggested the need of an oral assessment before @entity5 treatment, in order to prevent and treat dental pathologies and avoiding potential complications; during @entity5 treatment, it is relevant monitoring the @entity1 in order to decrease the severity of the side effects, and to avoid any tooth extraction or surgery and special attention should be paid to @entity33 , @entity2133 and @entity7553 ; after @entity5 treatment, the following are relevant aspects: the risk of @entity7190 , trismus, caries and the risks associated to dental implants. Key words: @entity135 , supportive care in @entity5 , radiotherapy complications, management and oral care on @entity5 treatment.

A critical assessment of oral care protocols for XXXX under radiation therapy in the regional University Hospital Network of Madrid (Spain).

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity135 :: ('MESH:D006258', 'Disease') :: ['head and neck cancer', 'HNC', 'Head and neck cancer'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer'] @entity2133 :: ('MESH:D014987', 'Disease') :: ['xerostomia'] @entity33 :: ('MESH:D052016', 'Disease') :: ['mucositis'] @entity7190 :: ('MESH:D010025', 'Disease') :: ['osteoradionecrosis'] @entity7553 :: ('MESH:D002177', 'Disease') :: ['candidiasis']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
