Disease awareness and oral health promotion for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and head and neck radiotherapy survivors – a partnership model

Dr Pow, Edmond Ho Nang   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Dr Chiang Chi Leung   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Chang Tien Yee Amy   (Co-Investigator)

Dr So Tsz Him   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Lam Yu Hang Walter   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Lee Victor Ho Fun   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Botelho Michael George   (Co-Investigator)

34

2018-06-01

845825

Disease awareness and oral health promotion for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and head and neck radiotherapy survivors – a partnership model

Caries prevention, Health education, Health literacy, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Quality of life

Others - Medicine, Dentistry and Health

01170568

Health Care and Promotion Scheme - Research Grant Projects

2017

Completed

To develop educational resources to help patients and survivors of NPC and head and neck cancer to manage their oral dental health (in particular caries prevention) before and after active treatment. This will be using a collaborative partnership model with a community self-help organization (the Kin Lok club) as well as oncology and dental specialists. A needs assessment of the necessary disease and treatment awareness and in particular dental oral health issues of patients and survivors of head and neck cancer will be performed. Radiotherapy is the standard of treatment for such patients and it significantly reduces salivary flow which impacts the oral health quality of life and significantly increases patients’ dental caries disease burden. Education and life-long prevention is necessary to manage this. Through partnership with Kin Lok and its members educational resources will be created to meet these needs and activities to support before during and after active treatment. It is expected this will include awareness of the disease, its treatment, post-treatment issues and in particular the effects on dental oral health and life-long caries prevention.