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ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

P005 Name of Presenter: Chien Wen Ni, Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh, Melaka
Title of Presentation: The effects of head and neck radiotherapy towards oral mucosal
wetness and development of post-radiation caries

Abstract
Chien WN 1,*, Dharmindra RG 1
1 Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh, Melaka

Introduction: Radiotherapy is a treatment modality largely used in head and neck cancer. However, ionising
radiation that is used may result in several undesired reactions in the oral cavity. The clinical side effects of
head and neck radiotherapy include hyposalivation, xerostomia, radiation caries, mucositis, taste loss and
trismus.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the oral mucosal wetness and development of post-
radiation caries in the oral cavity after completion of head and neck radiotherapy.
Methodology: Basic method used: Retrospective case series review. The 26 continuous study subjects
selected at Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh, Melaka, had completed head and neck radiotherapy (year 2012 til
year 2023) and attended at least one follow-up appointment. Clinical photographs were taken. Each subject
was informed about the study protocol, and written consent for clinical photographs was obtained. Study
design: The Challacombe Scale of Clinical Oral Dryness (King’s College London), DMFT Chart, DMFS160
Results: Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS). Overall, patients who underwent head and neck radiotherapy
showed distinct dryness of the mouth. 73% of the selected subjects (19 patients) experience severe dryness
of mouth, while the remaining 27% (6 patients) experience moderate dryness of mouth. Dentition. 46% of
the selected subjects (12 patients) eventually developed radiation caries ranging from stage 1 to stage 4 and
all patients received a total radiation dose in the range of 60-70 gray.
Conclusion: Radiation treatment of head and neck tumours commonly leads to a decrease in salivary
flow rate, thereby increasing the risk of developing radiation caries, which affects the quality of life.
Multidisciplinary treatment, including medical team, dental surgeons, nutritionists and psychologists, is
recommended in order to minimize or prevent the radiation-induced side effects.
Key words: Head and neck radiotherapy, radiation caries, Challacombe scale

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