Oral care for people with advanced cancer: an evidence-based protocol

Abstract

Poor oral health is an extremely common problem in patients with advanced cancer and, because of its impact on quality of life, promoting oral care should be regarded as a priority by every hospice and palliative care team. At Accord Hospice, Paisley, UK, a protocol for oral care has been developed which is simple, inexpensive and evidence-based. Evaluation of the protocol has shown that it can lead to significant and consistent improvements in oral health and comfort. A survey of mouth-care practices in other Scottish hospice units reveals that although much agreement exists, certain practices that are unsupported by research evidence are still undertaken.