{
  "abstract": "Background The incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) has increased steadily, and radiotherapy remains a primary treatment modality. However, radiotherapy may induce severe oral complications, including radiation-related caries and osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORN). Consequently, comprehensive pre-treatment oral care and patient education are essential. This two-phase study conducted in Guangzhou, China, evaluated the effects of a structured oral health education program on short-term knowledge, behaviors, and long-term oral hygiene outcomes in HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy. Methods In Phase 1, 63 HNC patients were prospectively enrolled and received a standardized, single-session Oral Health Behavior-Cognition-Awareness (OHBCA) education. Questionnaires assessed knowledge, awareness, and behaviors at baseline and 6 weeks post-intervention. In Phase 2, a retrospective cohort analysis was performed, comparing 24 patients from Phase 1 who completed 12-month follow-up (intervention group) with 19 historical controls who received standard care. Oral hygiene behaviors and clinical indices (e.g., Debris Index, Gingival Index) were evaluated at 12 months post-radiotherapy. Given the exploratory nature of the study and the use of a convenience sample, formal sample size calculation was not performed. Statistical analyses included paired and independent samples tests as appropriate. Results In Phase 1, the OHBCA education led to significant, large-magnitude improvements in oral health knowledge, awareness, and self-reported behaviors (all p < 0.01), including reduced tobacco/alcohol use and enhanced hygiene practices. In Phase 2, at the 12-month follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better oral hygiene indices (e.g., lower plaque and gingival scores; all p < 0.0001) and more favorable self-care behaviors compared to the historical control group. Conclusion This exploratory study suggests that a structured pre-radiotherapy oral health education program is associated with significant short-term improvements in patient knowledge and behaviors, as well as superior long-term clinical oral hygiene outcomes. These preliminary, hypothesis-generating findings support the potential value of integrating systematic patient education into the HNC radiotherapy care pathway and underscore the need for validation through prospective randomized controlled trials.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Stomatology, Jinan University"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Chenxi Sun"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Qiang Lin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Fengping Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yunxia Fu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Chenqu Guo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xi Rui"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Wenpeng He"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0y9n4h6ck6y3e.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1186/s12903-026-09430-z",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-026-09430-z",
  "id": "0y9n4h6ck6y3e",
  "issns": [
    "1472-6831"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-026-09430-z",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "RK1-715"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2740|Oral health in cancer treatment"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7171485668",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-01",
  "publisher": "BMC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0y9n4h6ck6y3e.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:46:32Z",
      "native_id": "3f4c0f76ce7c451fbd05474206ac7d4b",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-026-09430-z"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2740|Oral health in cancer treatment",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Oral Health Behavior-Cognition-Awareness education is associated with improved short-term knowledge and long-term oral hygiene in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a two-phase study",
  "title_text": "Oral Health Behavior-Cognition-Awareness education is associated with improved short-term knowledge and long-term oral hygiene in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a two-phase study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:46:32Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0y9n4h6ck6y3e",
  "venue": "BMC Oral Health",
  "versions": []
}