An assessment of the oral health status and dental care treatment needs of oncology patients receiving bone modifying agents

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the oral health status and dental care treatment need of oncology patients receiving bone modifying agents (BMAs). Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in oncology patients. Their oral health status was assessed and dental care treatment needs were completed prior to commencing a BMA. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify certain characteristics which may highlight risk factors for dental disease and dental treatment needs. Results: A total of 150 patients were assessed, with a mean age of 61.5 years (standard deviation [SD] = 11.75 years). Breast cancer was the most common cancer (n = 96). Sixty-five patients (43.3%) did not have a dentist. The mean Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was 17.68 (SD = 7.85) and 145 patients (97%) had periodontal disease. Eighty-six restorations were placed and 188 teeth were extracted. One hundred forty-seven patients (98%) achieved dental fitness. Statistical analysis found a significant result for a periodontal extraction and increasing age, which increased by 21.2% every 10 years (P =.0239). Patients who did not have a dentist required 67.5% more restorations and a current smoker was 3.4 times as likely to require an extraction due to periodontal disease (P <.001). Conclusions: Our study highlights the vulnerability of this cohort due to their dental treatment needs.