Table 4.
Patient‐Reported Dental Health and Shoulder Function Before and After Treatment (n = 58).
| Dental Health and Shoulder Function Questionnaire Item | % (n) | |
|---|---|---|
| Were you told about taking care of your teeth before you started treatment? | Yes | 79% (46) |
| No | 14% (8) | |
| Declined to answer | 7% (4) | |
| Did you have a dental evaluation before you started treatment? | Yes | 74% (43) |
| No | 22% (13) | |
| Declined to answer | 3% (2) | |
| Did you have any teeth removed (extractions) before treatment? | Yes | 35% (20) |
| No | 62% (36) | |
| Declined to answer | 3% (2) | |
| How often each day did you brush your teeth before treatment? | 1 time | 16% (9) |
| 2 times | 43% (25) | |
| More than 2 times | 28% (16) | |
| Declined to answer | 14% (8) | |
| How often did you see a dentist before treatment? | Every 3 months | 14% (8) |
| Every 6 months | 52% (30) | |
| Once a year | 16% (9) | |
| Declined to answer | 14% (8) | |
| Were you told about possible problems with your shoulder before you started treatment? | Yes | 31% (18) |
| No | 55% (32) | |
| Declined to answer | 14% (8) | |
| Did you have teeth removed after treatment? | Yes | 19% (11) |
| No | 74% (43) | |
| Declined to answer | 7% (4) | |
| Compared to before your cancer treatment, do you have more problems with your general dental health? | Yes | 35% (20) |
| No | 59% (34) | |
| Declined to answer | 7% (4) | |
| Do you use fluoride‐containing toothpaste? | Yes | 84% (49) |
| No | 9% (5) | |
| Declined to answer | 7% (4) | |
| Do you use fluoride trays? | Yes | 17% (10) |
| No | 76% (44) | |
| Declined to answer | 7% (4) | |
| Do you use dry mouth medications? | Yes | 43% (25) |
| No | 52% (30) | |
| Declined to answer | 5% (3) | |
| Did you see your dentist after treatment? | Yes | 79% (46) |
| No | 16% (9) | |
| Declined to answer | 5% (3) | |
| Are you able to raise your arm above your head? | Yes | 88% (51) |
| No | 7% (4) | |
| Declined to answer | 5% (3) | |
| Do you do exercises to keep your neck/shoulder limber? | Yes | 62% (36) |
| No | 33% (19) | |
| Declined to answer | 5% (3) | |
| Do you have pain at night in your neck/shoulder? | Yes | 38% (22) |
| No | 57% (33) | |
| Declined to answer | 5% (3) | |
| Have you changed the way you sleep because of neck/shoulder pain? | Yes | 22% (13) |
| No | 74% (43) | |
| Declined to answer | 3% (2) | |
| Has your dental health affected your ability to work? | Yes | 10% (6) |
| No | 86% (50) | |
| Declined to answer | 3% (2) | |
| Have neck/shoulder symptoms affected your ability to work? | Yes | 19% (11) |
| No | 78% (45) | |
| Declined to answer | 3% (2) |
Responses from the Dental Health and Shoulder Function Questionnaire. Percentages rounded to nearest whole number.