https://doi.org/10.24552/00002203 ©青森県立保健大学
Factors related to the efficacy of oral care in perioperative cancer patients
Rumi Ito1） and Motoki Ohnishi2）
1）Aomori University of Health and Welfare
2）Department of Nursing, Aomori University of Health and Welfare
（Recieved November 10, 2022; Accepted January 23, 2023）
ABSTRACT
［Objective］This study investigated the efficacy of oral care in the perioperative period for patients with cancer
and factors associated with the maintenance and improvement of their oral hygiene status.
［Methods］The subjects were adult patients with cancer who were scheduled to undergo the first operation
and were referred by their physician for dental intervention in preparation for cancer surgery. At the first
examination, basic patient data, cancer therapy data, and five items related to oral hygiene were extracted from
electronic charts, and the patients were evaluated using the Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-care（SESS), which was
designed to assess self-care in patients with periodontal disease. At the three-month postoperative assessment,
the five oral hygiene assessment items evaluated during the first examination were extracted from electronic
charts,and the patients were re-evaluated using the SESS. Electronic charts were reviewed for the
postoperative course and data on postoperative respiratory infections. Additionally, the patients were interviewed
for any medical consultations required for pneumonia, bronchitis, or pleuritis and a history of treatment,
hospitalization, or smoking up to the day of dental consultation.
［Results］The analysis included 141 patients（68 men, 73 women; mean age: 65.39±11.09 years）. All five
oral hygiene items significantly improved three months postoperatively（p＜0.001）, and no patient
had postoperative respiratory infections. Plaque control record（PCR）was improved by preoperative
dental care for at least two weeks（p＝0.002）and a change in the SESS score（p＝0.001）, and
aggravated by diabetes mellitus. In terms of self-efficacy, the total score（p＜0.001）and the three
subscales（p＜0.001）contributed to significant improvement.
［Conclusions］Two or more weeks of preoperative dental care improved oral hygiene status, prevented
postoperative respiratory infections, and improved self-efficacy in patients scheduled to undergo surgery
for cancer therapy.
Key words:
Oral care, perioperative oral function management, medical and dental cooperation, preoperative dental
treatment period, Self-Efficacy