Self-perceived oral health, general self-efficacy, and their relations to oral health conditions in head and neck cancer patients in Sweden-a prospective observational study.

Objective: To explore self-perceived oral health and general self-efficacy and relate this to dental plaque, gingival inflammation, and oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients in Sweden, before, during, and three months after treatment. Methods: Registration of clinical variables (dental plaque, gingival inflammation, and oral mucositis) was performed in 75 patients. The patients completed the self-perceived oral health (SPOH), and general self-efficacy (GSE) questionnaires at baseline, week 6 during treatment, and 3 months after treatment. Changes in clinical variables and answers to questionnaires between time-points were analyzed as well as differences between clinical variables and questionnaire data. Results: The majority had low levels of plaque and gingival inflammation at all time-points, and oral mucositis occurred in 82%. Forty-three percent perceived their oral health as good at baseline, and the proportion decreased to 18% at week 6. At baseline, toothbrushing twice a day was reported by 95%, and daily interdental cleaning by 51%. The majority had high self-efficacy at all time-points. No statistically significant differences between self-perceived oral health and clinical variables were found. Conclusion: Despite major challenges during cancer treatment, most patients had good oral hygiene, perceived their oral health as good, and had high self-efficacy. Clinical relevance: This study contributes to increased knowledge about HNC patients' self-perceived oral health and ability to maintain good oral hygiene during cancer treatment. Such knowledge can be used in the development of customized oral care protocols, which in turn may have a positive impact on both oral health and quality of life.