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Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the eighth most common cancer in the United Kingdom. Survival rates improve when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, highlighting a key need to identify at‐risk patients. This study aimed to explore opportunistic HNC identification and referral by community pharmacists (CPs) using a symptom‐based risk assessment calculator, from the perspective of patients with a diagnosis of HNC. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit patients from the HNC pathway in three large teaching hospitals in Northern England. Qualitative methodology was used to collect data through an iterative series of semistructured telephone interviews. Framework analysis was utilised to identify key themes. Results: Four main themes were constructed through the analytic process: (1) HNC presentation and seeking help; (2) the role of the CP; (3) public perception of HNC and (4) the role of a symptom‐based risk calculator. Participants agreed that CPs could play a role in the identification and referral of suspected HNCs, but there were concerns about access as patients frequently only encounter the medicine counter assistant when they visit the pharmacy. HNC symptoms are frequently attributed to common or minor conditions initially and therefore considered not urgent, leading to delays in seeking help. While there is public promotion for some cancers, there is little known about HNC. Early presentation of HNC can be quite variable, therefore raising awareness would help. The use of a symptom‐based risk calculator was considered beneficial if it enabled earlier referral and diagnosis. Participants suggested that it would also be useful if the public were made aware of it and could self‐assess their symptoms. Conclusion: In principle, CPs could play a role in the identification and referral of HNC, but there was uncertainty as to how the intervention would work. Future research is needed to develop an intervention that would facilitate earlier identification and referral of HNC while not disrupting CP work and that would promote HNC and the risk calculator more widely. Patient or Public Contribution: Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) was integrated throughout the project. Initially, the proposal was discussed during a Cancer Head and Neck Group Experience (CHANGE) PPIE meeting. CHANGE was set up to support HNC research in 2018. The group is composed of seven members (four female, three male) with an age range of 50–71 years, who were diagnosed at Sunderland Royal Hospital. A patient representative from the University of Sunderland PPIE group and a trustee of the Northern HNC Charity were recruited as co‐applicants. They attended project management group meetings and reviewed patient‐facing documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Exploring the feasibility to understand changes in oral hygiene behaviour using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model applied to qualitative research interviews in patients with diabetes and periodontitis undergoing standard periodontitis treatment. Methods: Patients with type 1/2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis (n = 8) received standard non‐surgical periodontal treatment accompanied with personalized oral hygiene instructions by a dental hygienist. Clinical indices (% bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), % of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm, periodontal epithelial surface area (PESA) and periodontal inflammatory surface area (PISA) were recorded pre‐ and post‐treatment. At 3 months post‐treatment, patients were interviewed using a topic guide relating to oral health. A behaviour change framework was constructed from elements of the HAPA model and used directly to map interview data to evaluate oral hygiene behaviour in these patients. Results: Data from this feasibility study suggest a clinical improvement in periodontal status, albeit only monitored for 3 months. Application of the HAPA model highlighted the behavioural change pathway that diabetes patients undertake before, during and after periodontal treatment. The data suggest that patients move through all elements of the motivation phase and all elements of the volition phase except for the recovery self‐efficacy element. Conclusion: The novel approach of applying the HAPA model to qualitative research data allowed for the collection of richer data compared to quantitative analysis only. Findings suggest that, in general, patients with periodontitis and diabetes successfully manage to incorporate new oral hygiene behaviours into their daily routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To consider teamworking in dentistry, focusing especially on the role of dental hygienists (DHs) and dental therapists (DTs) as part of the dental team., Methods: A narrative review of studies that have investigated teamworking in periodontology and dentistry in general together with consideration of examples of relevant regulatory and governmental policy documents., Results: The inclusion of DHs and DTs as key members of the dental team yields significant patient benefits in terms of access to care (particularly among under-served populations), efficient and effective treatment and improved healthcare outcomes for patients. However, barriers can exist to full implementation of effective working in dental teams, including both systemic and regulatory barriers, as well as attitudinal barriers. Furthermore, DHs and DTs are not always working to their full scope of practice, thereby limiting the care that these team members can provide. Mutual respect between dental team members, high-quality communication and a common ethos and shared clinical standards are all essential for effective teamworking. DHs and DTs have a clear role to play in achieving sustainable improvements in oral and dental health for patient populations globally., Conclusion: Full and effective integration of DHs and DTs into healthcare teams will benefit not only the dental team, but also healthcare systems and patient populations, via more effective teamworking, improved access to care and enhanced treatment outcomes., (© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Dental Hygiene published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Periodontitis is a common, chronic, inflammatory disease in which the supporting apparatus of the teeth is gradually destroyed, resulting in tooth mobility and tooth loss. Susceptibility to periodontitis is increased approximately three-fold in people with diabetes. Hyperglycemia leads to exacerbated tissue destruction and the clinical signs of periodontitis. There is evidence to support a two-way relationship between periodontitis and diabetes; not only does diabetes increase the risk for periodontitis, but periodontitis is associated with compromised glycemic control. Cooperation between health care teams would benefit the treatment of patients with diabetes and periodontitis., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)