The intersection of oncology and oral health: exploring nurses’ insights and practices — a systematic review

In recent years, oral health care has been recognized as a vital aspect of maintaining overall well-being [1, 6, 11, 13]. However, other patients’ medical concerns overshadow oral assessment and management, especially cancer patients [6, 13]. Consequently, oral health concerns will initiate other health risks and potential complications if neglected and untreated [3, 6]. Nurses play a vital role in patient care management as frontline care providers in assessing, managing, and promoting oral health for cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Cancer therapy has many side effects related to radiation, and chemotherapy can significantly impact patients’ oral health, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life [2, 5]. These adverse effects can be oral mucositis [7, 12] (inflammation and ulceration in the inner mucous membranes of the mouth) [2, 5, 13], xerostomia or dry mouth (related to less productivity of saliva) [5, 12], taste alteration [5, 10], and gingivitis and weakness of the immune system causing viral or fungal infections as thrush and cold sores [10]. As a result of these adverse effects, there is a significant impact on the patient’s health [12], such as a feeling of oral discomfort, pain [5], dental caries [5] or tooth loss [10], oral infections [7], speaking difficulty, gum inflammation and bleeding [7], appetite alteration and difficulty of eating and swallowing leads to poor nutritional intake [5, 7, 13], dehydration, as well as negative emotions [2, 5]. One published study in the Journal of Supportive Oncology reported that around 40–80% of cancer patients undertaking chemotherapy complained of oral mucositis as a side effect [2]. In addition, approximately 70–90% of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy for the neck and head complained of acute oral mucositis [2]. Therefore, the role of health care providers in oral assessing [13] and reporting any patient’s oral health concern is crucial to enhance the treatment process and minimize the impacts of these side effects [6, 9].

Understanding the advantages of improving nursing performance towards oral healthcare for cancer patients involves acquiring adequate knowledge and proper awareness of identifying early signs [5, 6], implementing preventive measures [6], delivering oral hygiene instructions, communicating with other healthcare team members [2], educating patients [4], and intervening using effective strategies [6, 13]. Providing support and empathy helps in improving patients’ outcomes [13]. However, some studies pointed to potential gaps and a lack of sufficient nurses’ knowledge and training regarding cancer patients’ oral health management, leading to improper oral care practices causing suboptimal outcomes [6, 10]. A study reported that numerous nurses had insufficient knowledge about oral healthcare, especially the relationship between oral health and general well-being [1, 11]. The study recommended upgrading education and training programs to enrich nurses’ knowledge and improve oral healthcare practices [1, 10, 11].

On the other hand, some studies refer to educational interventions and training programs to effectively improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards oral healthcare [9, 13]. Therefore, updated knowledge [12] empowers nurses to acquire positive attitudes and use the latest evidence-based practices [8] to provide holistic care, evaluating current practices for gaps and areas that need improvement, which can be achieved by delivering standardized protocols [4, 14], continuous education, and integrated oral care training programs [11, 12]. A study of supportive cancer care highlighted the benefits of an integrated oral care program for cancer cases. This program emphasizes the collaboration of nurses, oncologists, dentists, and other healthcare professionals [9]. Nurses’ active involvement can significantly promote treatment tolerance, optimize the best possible outcomes, and enhance oral health-related quality of life [8, 12].

This study aims to examine the current knowledge, attitudes, and nursing practices toward oral healthcare for cancer patients. Measuring their awareness and understanding of potential oral complications and management methods can visibly identify gaps in knowledge and training. In addition, exploring nurses’ attitudes towards oral care and their perceived barriers to implementing integrated oral care programs will assist in the progress of targeted educational initiatives and intervention strategies.

Ultimately, this review endeavours to participate in the body of knowledge associated with nurses’ role in oral healthcare for cancer patients. As a result of improving nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in this critical area of cancer care, we can struggle for enhanced patient outcomes, improved quality of life, and better overall healthcare delivery for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

What are the nurse’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards oral healthcare? What are the potential benefits of the integrated oral care program on the people affected by cancer quality of life?

The findings from the reviewed studies offer valuable insights into the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of healthcare providers, particularly nurses, concerning oral care for oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). These insights have significant implications for improving oral healthcare within this specific patient population.

The studies reviewed consistently indicate a lack of knowledge and skills among healthcare providers, specifically nurses, when it comes to oral care for cancer patients undergoing treatment. This knowledge gap is evident in their ability to make accurate diagnoses, administer appropriate treatments and hygiene protocols, and address challenges related to the diagnosis and treatment of xerostomia. Furthermore, the studies highlight variations in practice among different healthcare groups, underscoring the need for education and training in oral care.

These findings align with an Australian study that focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD), where the majority of participants (n = 24) reported limited or no knowledge about the link between oral health and CVD. Similarly, other non-dental healthcare professionals, such as antenatal care providers, have been reported to lack oral health knowledge [21]. In terms of clinical practice, the study found that patients with CVD received no regular oral health education, and healthcare providers received no oral health training. Positive advancements have been observed in the United States, where oral health has been incorporated into nursing courses as part of a nationwide strategy aimed at enhancing the quality of oral healthcare and addressing disparities [22]. Additionally, an Australian university successfully integrated an oral health module into an undergraduate midwifery course [23]. These efforts signify important steps forward in improving oral care education and training within the healthcare profession. The reviewed studies highlight the need for improved knowledge and practices in oral care among healthcare providers, particularly nurses, who work with oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment or HSCT.

The studies in this review revealed varying levels of knowledge among nurses regarding oral diagnosis, treatment, disease etiologies, and hygiene protocols. While nurses demonstrated proficiency in giving proper differential diagnoses of mucositis and knowledge of proper treatment for fungal infections, they faced challenges in diagnosing and treating xerostomia. Furthermore, nurses exhibited less than adequate knowledge on how to provide oral care for children undergoing cancer treatment and HSCT. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance nurses’ knowledge and understanding of oral care practices in oncology settings.

The studies emphasized the importance of improving oral healthcare practices among healthcare providers. Referral to dental services emerged as a crucial avenue for children to receive comprehensive oral care during cancer treatment or prior to HSCT. However, it was observed that only a minority of healthcare providers made such referrals, indicating a gap in coordination between healthcare and dental professionals. Additionally, there were deficiencies in conducting thorough examinations for complications such as xerostomia and trismus. These findings underscore the necessity of standardized protocols, comprehensive assessments, and early intervention strategies to enhance oral care practices in oncology settings. A study among nurses in Turkey highlighted that 53.5% of nurses reported their clinics did not have a standard oral care protocol, 41.6% reported having an oral care protocol and implementing it, and 4.9% reported having an oral care protocol but not implementing it. The statistical evaluation revealed a statistically significant difference between the hospitals in terms of performing oral care, conducting oral assessments regularly, and implementing oral care protocols [24].

Regarding attitudes towards oral care, a discrepancy exists between nurses’ confidence in performing oral care procedures and their ability to provide oral hygiene instructions. This suggests that while they may possess the technical skills, they may lack the necessary knowledge to educate patients about oral care. Moreover, the studies highlight the need for improved oral healthcare practices and referrals for pediatric oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment or HSCT. The studies presented mixed attitudes among healthcare providers regarding oral healthcare. While a majority of participants felt comfortable performing oral procedures and were adequately trained to provide oral health care instructions and perform oral care procedures, there were areas of lower confidence. Participants expressed less confidence in examining the health of teeth and gums for complications such as trismus, dysphagia, and xerostomia. These findings highlight the need for targeted training programs to address specific areas of lower confidence and enhance overall attitudes towards comprehensive oral care. This is consistent with a recent Saudi study that found significant issues regarding the current practice of oral care for hospitalized patients in Saudi hospitals. The study revealed that not all patients underwent oral health assessment, indicating a gap in providing comprehensive care. Additionally, some hospitals lacked clear published policies regarding oral care for hospitalized patients, leading to inconsistencies in practice. The documentation of oral care procedures was also problematic, and there were barriers hindering the provision of adequate oral care to patients. The study emphasized the need to enhance the training and continuous education of nurses in Saudi Arabia concerning oral care for hospitalized patients. The majority of participating nurses expressed a deficiency in their training on oral assessment and the provision of oral care [11]. Another Australian study also highlighted the significance of oral health among nurses, acknowledging that patient behaviors can impact their ability to carry out oral care tasks effectively. To address this issue, it is recommended that educational institutions and hospitals collaborate to develop a formal oral health procedure and training package specifically tailored for acute geriatric care wards [25].

Furthermore, a recent study conducted by [26] discovered significant associations between oral hygiene practices and various factors. These factors included the availability of working wards, the level of qualification, the presence of oral health care guidelines, access to specific resources, and previous training in oral care. The study emphasized the importance of providing oral hygiene practices for hospitalized stroke patients. However, it also revealed the detrimental effects of a lack of oral health care guidelines, insufficient support from dental professionals, inadequate resources, inadequate training, and the absence of assistance in daily oral care for patients.

Comparing these results with global literature, it is evident that the lack of knowledge and skills among healthcare providers regarding oral care is not unique to a specific region or country. Similar studies conducted in other countries, such as the USA, Australia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia [26, 25, 27], have found comparable results. However, some studies have shown that interventions, such as education and training programs, can improve the knowledge and skills of oncology healthcare providers and lead to improved oral care practices. Therefore, it is important to implement such interventions to address the gaps in knowledge and skills among healthcare providers regarding oral care.

In conclusion, the included studies showed a diversity in practice among groups, a lack of oral care knowledge, and the pertinent need for education. Therefore, more attention should be given to developing standardized protocols or clinical practice guidelines for oral care for postoperative patients with oral cancer to equip nurses with the required skills to deliver quality oral care. Additionally, continuing education and training programs in oral care for nurses should be developed to improve their knowledge and skills in this area.

The study conducted a systematic review of primary quantitative and qualitative studies, thoroughly examining nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral healthcare. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, multiple reputable healthcare databases, including CINAHL, Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were extensively searched. The use of standardized tools such as the JBI System for Unified Management, Assessment, and Review of Information (JBI SUMARI) and the JBI extraction tool ensured consistency and reliability throughout the data collection and extraction processes.

However, it is important to acknowledge certain limitations of the study. The reported results predominantly focus on pediatric patients. It is important to note that these two groups, pediatric and adult patients, are distinct, which represents a notable limitation of this Systematic review. Moreover, by excluding non-peer-reviewed and gray literature, the study may have missed out on valuable unpublished research, leading to publication bias. Additionally, the study’s time frame was limited to articles published between 2000 and 2023, which may have excluded older studies that could have provided valuable insights on the topic.

Despite these limitations, the systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence on nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral healthcare, offering valuable insights into this important aspect of healthcare delivery.

The finding shows diversity in practice among groups, lack of oral care knowledge, and the pertinent need for education. There is a clear need for targeted education and training programs for healthcare providers, especially nurses, working with oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment and palliative patients. These programs should focus on enhancing knowledge and understanding of oral care practices, including accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and proper hygiene protocols. Implementation of comprehensive educational interventions can bridge the knowledge gap and improve oral care practices (grade A).

It is essential to establish standardized oral care protocols in healthcare settings to ensure consistent and evidence-based practices. The development and implementation of these protocols should involve collaboration between healthcare and dental professionals. Standardized protocols can guide healthcare providers in conducting thorough examinations, addressing complications, and providing appropriate referrals to dental services (grade A).

There is a need to improve oral health assessment practices and documentation in healthcare settings. Healthcare providers should be trained to conduct comprehensive assessments, including examinations for complications related to oral health. Clear and standardized documentation of oral care procedures is essential for maintaining continuity of care and facilitating communication between healthcare providers (grade B).