Can a dental assistant keep cancer Patients' mouths healthier during radiation?
NCT ID NCT05494970
First seen Sep 18, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a dental assistant can help patients with head and neck cancer keep their mouths clean during and after radiotherapy. Patients receive oral hygiene education and a written guide before treatment starts. Researchers measure plaque levels at the beginning and three months after radiotherapy to see if oral hygiene improves. The study also asks patients about their satisfaction and motivation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Oral hygiene education and a written information guide delivered by a dental assistant
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give cancer centers a simple, low-cost way to help patients avoid mouth problems during radiotherapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small feasibility study, so it may not show a clear benefit or may not apply to other hospitals. The main risk is that patients do not follow the advice.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
44 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2022
- Finished
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Jan 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patient with ORL cancer for which radiotherapy (+/- associated chemotherapy) is indicated.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years at study entry. 2. Patient with ORL cancer requiring radiotherapy (+/- associated chemotherapy). 3. Patient with a plaque index \> or = 30%. 4. Patient affiliated to a social security system in France. 5. Patient having signed informed consent prior to inclusion in the study and prior to any specific procedure for the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant or lactating women. 2. Any psychological, familial, geographic or sociological condition that does not allow for compliance with the medical follow-up and/or procedures outlined in the study protocol. 3. Patient who has forfeited his/her freedom by administrative or legal award or who is under legal protection (curatorship and guardianship, protection of justice).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse - Oncopole
Toulouse, 31059, France
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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