Strategies to manage the oral health impacts of head and neck cancer treatment: A scoping review

Background The sequelae of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatments can have significant negative impacts on patients’ oral health and overall quality of life. Effective oral health management strategies are essential for patient well-being and improved treatment outcomes. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of oral health management strategies for patients undergoing HNC treatment. Methods A scoping review was conducted following the JBI framework and PRISMA-ScR checklist. Systematic searches across major databases identified studies focusing on oral health interventions for HNC patients during pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment phases. Results Thirteen studies were included, reporting strategies such as preventive interventions (including educational programs and preventive dental care), certain dental procedures, technology-assisted tools, and interprofessional collaborations. While effective, these strategies revealed key gaps in timely and sustained oral health support, identifying optimal intervention points during cancer treatment, and promoting self-management to ease patient access and reduce healthcare resource strain. Conclusion Comprehensive and multidisciplinary oral health strategies are fundamental to improve patient outcomes in HNC care. However, systemic inequalities and the absence of standardised oral health protocols present significant challenges in the delivery and maintenance of these strategies. Bridging these gaps through evidence-based guidelines, integrated care models and oral health interventions appropriately timed according to HNC treatment is critical to advancing oral health management and enhancing quality of life for patients.