ArticleJAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery2024
Financial Burden of Dental Care Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.
Article in JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Automated Detection of Oral Malignant Lesions Using Deep Learning: Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.Oral diseases · 2025Pooled it
- Improved oral health in head and neck cancer survivors (OHHNC study): a study protocol for a multicentre two-armed randomised controlled trial.BMC cancer · 2026Article
- Post-Radiation Dental Care Access Among Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: A Safety Net Perspective.Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology · 2026Article
- Important learning points for setting up a dental-oncology service in Ireland.Irish journal of medical science · 2026Article
- The impact of oral health literacy on oral health in lung cancer patients: the mediating role of psychosocial factors.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Implementation Mapping to Identify Strategies to Increase Timely Postoperative Radiotherapy Initiation for Head/Neck Cancer.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Importance: Patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) experience oral complications requiring substantial dental treatment. This treatment is commonly not reimbursed by medical insurers, presenting a potential financial burden for patients. Objective: To characterize the dental care needs and associated cost burden for patients with HNC. Design, Setting, and Participants: This survey study included Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) members who were surveyed from March 23 to October 27, 2023, using Qualtrics. The survey was promoted using the HNCA's social media and email list. Data analysis was performed between October 2023 and May 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures: Main outcomes were oral and dental complications of cancer treatment among patients with HNC, the association of cancer treatment with dental care use, and costs of associated dental treatment. Results: Of 100 individuals administered the survey, 85 (85%) completed all required questions and were included in the analysis. Of 84 participants with age and sex data, 51 (61%) were aged 65 years or older and 45 (54%) were female. Of 85 respondents, 59 (70%) indicated that their current oral health was worse than before cancer treatment. Most respondents (73 of 85 [86%]) endorsed oral complications from cancer treatment, including xerostomia (66 of 73 [90%]), caries (35 of 73 [48%]), and oral mucositis (29 of 73 [40%]); 64 of 73 respondents (88%) required follow-up dental treatment. Overall, 4 of 28 (14%) before HNC treatment and 17 of 53 (32%) after treatment reported finances as the reason that not all recommended dental care was received. A total of 33 of the 85 respondents (39%) said that their postcancer dental care had caused them financial hardship. Individuals who were less likely to endorse financial hardship were more likely to have greater educational attainment (odds ratio [OR], 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.58), higher income (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.11-0.94), increased pre-HNC dental visit frequency (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.86), same or better oral health after HNC (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.50), and lower out-of-pocket dental expenses after HNC (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.29). Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study, most patients undergoing treatment for HNC required extensive dental treatment throughout cancer treatment; this treatment presented a financial burden for 39% of patients that was a limiting barrier to care. Since most private medical insurers do not reimburse for dental treatment, more comprehensive coverage deserves policy attention.
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