Assessment of Baseline Oral Health Knowledge and Practices among Adult Oral Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Oral issues of patients with oral cancer (OC) receiving chemotherapy include mucositis, xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, oral infection and oral hygiene problems. An appropriate baseline knowledge and oral health practices could help to minimize such complications and enhance oral health-related quality of life related to treatment.

Objective: The aim was to assess the knowledge on oral health and oral hygiene practices among oral cancer patients before their commencement of chemotherapy.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Conducted in the department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, Shahida Islam Dental College, Lodhran from December 2025 to  June 2026.

Methodology: A total of 130 oral cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy were included using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. The sample size was calculated using the WHO sample size formula. Data was collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, oral health knowledge, oral hygiene practices, dental visits, and chemotherapy-related oral care. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS.

Results: The study showed that many patients had inadequate knowledge about oral health and were not following sufficient preventive oral health practices.

Conclusion: Baseline oral health knowledge and practices can be used to determine patients who may need specific oral health education and preventive dental treatment prior to and during chemotherapy.