A pilot study of oral health related quality of life during gynecologic cancer treatment
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if oral health education increases oral health related quality of life in gynecologic oncology patients. Methods: In this pilot study, 23 participants (18 - 70+ years) with a history of gynecologic cancer were recruited to participate in the study. Participants completed an Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire prior to and after given education packet. Results: At baseline, the mean pre-test OHIP-14 score was 6.7 (SD 8.4) and mean OHIP-14 post-test score was 8.8 (SD 8.4). Pearson Correlation was .90. P (T< = t) one-tail p < .008. Demonstrating statistical significance. Conclusion: OHIP-14 scores increased after four-weeks, higher scores of OHIP-14 will always be equal to a negative impact of quality of life, demonstrating that there was an overall decrease in OHRQoL amongst this population of gynecologic cancer patients after implementation of oral health education. However, when data was analyzed individually participants who had been treated with surgery + radiation as well as participants who had been diagnosed with uterine cancer OHRQoL improved after implementation of education, but no significance was found.
Dental Hygiene, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications
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