Improving oral health after radiation for underserved head and neck cancer patients
Post-Radiation Oral Health in Underserved Head and Neck Cancer Patients
This pilot tests giving fluoride varnish during routine cancer follow-up visits to see if it helps post-radiation head and neck cancer patients who have limited access to dental care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07556367 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot enrolls adult head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiation at UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and delivers a brief in-clinic fluoride varnish intervention during routine surveillance visits. Participants complete surveys, provide saliva samples, and have intra-oral photographs taken to document baseline oral health and changes over time. The study pairs the preventive varnish treatment with qualitative interviews to explore barriers and facilitators and co-designs patient education and a clinician implementation toolkit. Outcomes focus on feasibility, patient knowledge and access to dental care, and early oral health signals following the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (over 18) who have received radiation for head and neck cancer, have limited or underinsured dental access (e.g., MediCal, Healthy SF), and can provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot attend the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital visits, cannot provide informed consent, or who already require urgent specialist dental treatment are unlikely to benefit from this preventive varnish intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce post-radiation dental problems and improve access to preventive oral care for underserved head and neck cancer survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Topical fluoride is an established preventive measure against radiation-related dental decay, but delivering fluoride varnish opportunistically during oncology follow-up visits for underserved patients is a novel, pilot implementation approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. \>18 years old who are uninsured or underinsured (MediCal, Healthy SF) or have full coverage. 2. Patients who have received immunotherapy or enhanced chemotherapy regimens. 3. Patients or health and dental care providers who are able to provide their own informed written consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. \>18 years old. 2. Patients, caregivers, health and dental care providers who are able to provide their own informed written consent.
Where this trial is running
San Francisco, California
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) — San Francisco, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mary J Xu, MD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Alyssa Civantos, MD
- Email: alyssa.civantos@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 877-827-3222
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.