Oral Health-related Quality of Life among Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Integrating Public Health Dentists in Comprehensive Care

Original researchon daily functioning, emotional well-being, and social life.Assessing OHRQoL is critical in evaluating patient-centered outcomes and tailoring supportive care during and after treatment. 8he diversity in the anatomical sites of HNCs adds complexity to the clinical presentation and management.For instance, oral cavity cancers often present as nonhealing ulcers or masses, while oropharyngeal cancers are increasingly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and dietary habits, whereas laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are strongly associated with tobacco IntroductIonHead and neck cancers (HNCs) are a group of biologically similar malignancies arising from the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and salivary glands.They represent a substantial global health burden, ranking as the seventh most common cancer worldwide, with an estimated 9,32,000 new cases and 4,67,000 deaths reported annually, as per the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2020. 1 Lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate share of this burden due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment. 2In India, HNCs account for nearly 30% of all cancer cases, with the oral cavity being the most common site, particularly among men. 3Contributing factors include tobacco use (both smoked and smokeless), betel quid chewing, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and limited awareness of early signs. 4,5he physical and psychological impact of HNCs is profound.Treatment modalities such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, while often effective in improving survival, can lead to severe side effects like mucositis, xerostomia, dysphagia, trismus, and facial disfigurement.These complications significantly impair oral functions, esthetics, and social interactions, thereby affecting patients' quality of life. 6,7Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a multidimensional concept reflecting the effect of oral conditions 1-