72nd ORCA Congress Abstracts

Aim of this randomised control trial was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of salivary substitute and fluoride varnish in reducing the incidence of radiation caries (RC) in irradiated head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.HNC patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups to receive either saliva substitute (SS:Group 1), fluoride varnish (FV:Group II), or both (Group III).Comprehensive oral care was provided to all patients before the beginning of radiotherapy (RT).FV was applied professionally before RT, immediately after RT and then at 3 months follow-up.SS was advised to be used liberally at home before major meals.Decayed Missing Filled Surface (DMFS) score was recorded before RT, at 3, 6 and, 12 months post-RT.The study recruited 482 patients; 407 males and 75 females with mean age of 51.3 (18-79) years.At 12 months, complete data was available for 67 patients in group I, 73 in group II, and 80 in group 3. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA at 5% level of significance (2-sided) and post hoc Bonferroni test using SPSS 20 software.Pre-RT mean (standard deviation) DMFS for patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 35.76 (30.93), 40.42 (28.81), and 45.24 (30.22) respectively.Within group, a statistically significant increase (P<.01) in the DMFS was seen at follow-ups.There was no statistically significant difference in the DMFS between the groups.In conclusion, multiple overlapping factors related to the disease, ensuing treatment, and patient influence RC and there is no superiority of one topical agent over the other in controlling RC.Professional care; stringent home care measures, regular follow-ups, and education are paramount to address the survivorship issues in HNC patients.