UNASSIGNED: 100 Background: Pre-treatment dental evaluations are recommended for head and neck (H_N) @entity5 @entity1 (pts) prior to @entity1161 ( @entity1161 ) to minimize the risk of acute and long-term side effects of treatment. We previously created a @entity4500 ( @entity4500 ) outlining the necessary components of the pre-radiation dental evaluation for pts undergoing community-based dental evaluation. Yet our program did not have a system for documenting which pts received the @entity4500 . We aimed to create a system to ensure that pts are given the @entity4500 early in their care-plan and that such pts are readily identifiable so we can follow-up and confirm that the recommended dental care is complete prior to starting @entity1161 . METHODS: Chart review was performed to determine the percentage of eligible pts with documented provision of the @entity4500 . A diagnostic survey of H_N oncology clinicians was analyzed with a Pareto chart to determine common barriers to @entity4500 provision and documentation. Clinicians were surveyed on potential ways to document @entity4500 provision to eligible pts. The Model for Improvement and DMAIC (Six Sigma) methodologies were used and multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were performed to implement the intervention and monitor change. Change data was analyzed using a P-chart, 3-sigma. RESULTS: We used a process map to identify 3 potential care-plans within the H_N oncology program and assist in defining which providers had primary responsibility for providing the @entity4500 . We then designed and implemented a template within the electronic medical record that documents the clinician who gave the @entity4500 and the date it was given. There was an improvement in the rate of @entity4500 documentation from a baseline of 0% (range 0-0%) to a mean of 40% (range 0-100%) over 3-months (p<0.01). This improvement was sustained through last follow-up at 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Through a multidisciplinary approach, we implemented an intervention to identify pts undergoing community-based dental evaluation prior to @entity1161 for @entity5 . Further efforts are focused on increasing the @entity4500 documentation rate and increasing our interaction with community dentists to promote expeditious pre-radiation dental care.

Ensuring head and neck oncology XXXX receive recommended pretreatment dental evaluations.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer', 'H_N cancer'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity1161 :: ('MESH:D011832', 'Disease') :: ['radiation therapy', 'RT'] @entity4500 :: ('MESH:D014071', 'Disease') :: ['DIG', 'dental instructional guide']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
