Magister Chirurgiae Dentium (MChD) / An analysis of the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients with orofacial clefts at the Wentworth Foundation in Durban, KZN is presented. Objectives: To assess whether the OHRQoL of orofacial cleft patients varies amongst different age groups, genders or cleft types as well as demographic factors. Method: 46 participants, aged 8- 18, completed a self-administered Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) questionnaire. Results: The most prevalent cleft type was the Unilateral Cleft Left, 45.7%. The COHIP mean score was 84.195 (SD 18.244) ranging from 35 to 110. The age related subscales which were statistically significant included Functional well-being (p value: 0.0456), School Environment (p value: 0.0145) and Treatment Expectancy. The subscale School Environment was statistically significant for: Transport (p value: 0.0267) and Place of accommodation (p value 0.028). The Oral Health subscale and the Educational level were statistically significant (p value 0.043). Conclusion: Statistically significant age-related differences and demographic factors were noted. The OHRQoL of cleft patients was low largely due to socioeconomic factors and difficulty accessing multidisciplinary care. Therefore, our findings highlight the importance of establishing a Cleft lip and palate multidisciplinary facility for these patients in the Wentworth foundation and subsidised transport to the Wentworth Foundation is recommended.

The present study explored the antinociceptive effects of H3 (R-alpha-methylhistamine) and GABAB (baclofen) receptor ligands in an orofacial model of pain in rats. Orofacial pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin (50 μl, 5 %) in the upper lip region, and the number of jumps and time spent face rubbing was recorded for 40 min. Formalin produced a marked biphasic pain response; first phase, 0-10 min (jumps), and second phase, 15-40 min, (rubbing). Baclofen (50 μg) injected into the rat wiskerpad 5 min before formalin administration suppressed both phases of pain whereas R-alpha-methylhistamine (12.5 μg) abolished the first phase only. Brains were taken immediately after behavioral testing was completed. HPLC/ED analysis showed that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) turnover was increased in hippocampus, thalamus, and brain stem of all formalin groups, excepting the baclofen group in which the balance of 5-HT metabolism was restored to control values. These findings demonstrate that GABAB receptors represent peripheral targets for analgesia. Consequently, locally administered baclofen may be a useful approach in treating inflammatory trigeminal pain.

The present study explored the antinociceptive effects of H3 (R-alpha-methylhistamine) and GABAB (baclofen) receptor ligands in an orofacial model of pain in rats. Orofacial pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin (50 μl, 5 %) in the upper lip region, and the number of jumps and time spent face rubbing was recorded for 40 min. Formalin produced a marked biphasic pain response; first phase, 0-10 min (jumps), and second phase, 15-40 min, (rubbing). Baclofen (50 μg) injected into the rat wiskerpad 5 min before formalin administration suppressed both phases of pain whereas R-alpha-methylhistamine (12.5 μg) abolished the first phase only. Brains were taken immediately after behavioral testing was completed. HPLC/ED analysis showed that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) turnover was increased in hippocampus, thalamus, and brain stem of all formalin groups, excepting the baclofen group in which the balance of 5-HT metabolism was restored to control values. These findings demonstrate that GABAB receptors represent peripheral targets for analgesia. Consequently, locally administered baclofen may be a useful approach in treating inflammatory trigeminal pain.

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are among the most common structural birth defects and a public health problem. Several studies suggest that maternal obesity pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM), and the underlying metabolic abnormalities, may be involved in the pathogenesis of cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP) birth defects. Although hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been associated in a few studies with congenital birth defects, studies examining the risk associated with OFCs are limited. The overall objective of this dissertation was to examine the association between maternal obesity, DM, GDM, and hypertension and the risk of OFCs in case-control studies. Analyses of data from an international consortium revealed that maternal obesity (pre-pregnancy BMI >30), compared to normal weight (18.525), was associated with an increased risk of cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP/L) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =1.13 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.01-1.25]). We also found a marginal association between maternal underweight and CP/L (1.0 [reference]; aOR=1.14 [0.97-1.34]. CL only was not associated with maternal bodyweight. Interestingly, among college-graduates, there was no increased risk of CP, but mothers with less than a completed college education had an increased risk of CP for underweight and obesity. Investigation of the Utah OFC data provided evidence that maternal GDM is significantly associated with isolated (aOR=2.63 [1.30-5.34]) and non-isolated clefts (aOR=2.66 [1.02-6.97]). Maternal hypertension is significantly associated with non-isolated clefts (aOR=6.56 [2.18-19.77]). We found a further elevated risk of OFCs among GDM mothers and those with hypertension who were also obese. The analyses of data from an international consortium revealed significant associations between maternal diabetes and the risk of OFCs. The estimated relative risk of DM for isolated OFCs was 1.33 [1.14-1.54] and was slightly higher for multiple OFCs (aOR=1.86 [1.44-2.40]). Diabetic mothers with abnormal body-mass-index had an increased risk for having inborn with OFCs. Throughout the dissertation, we demonstrated the extent in which maternal obesity, pre-existing DM, GDM, and maternal hypertension may increase the risk of OFC birth defects. The results highlight the need for pre-conceptional program planning for the prevention of OFCs with screening for abnormal glucose tolerance and hypertension.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第21334号 / 理博第4430号 / 新制||理||1636(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 古市 剛史, 教授 湯本 貴和, 教授 髙井 正成 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Abstract  Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the structured implementation of screening and diagnostics of orofacial pain and jaw function in the affiliated general dentistry clinics of FTV VGR. Furthermore, evaluate differences in treatment between patients with and without a dental care subscription.   Material and method: Data regarding TMD treatments (600-series treatments) performed every month were gathered from the affiliated clinics over a 24-month timespan stretching between 2019-2021. Each treatment code was divided into three categories, all patients, patients with dental care subscription and patients without a dental care subscription. Parametrical statistics were used to assess the change of each treatment code performed before compared to after the implementation of Brief DC/TMD. The student's paired t-test was used and a probability level of P<0.05 was considered significant.    Results: The proportion of patients that received treatments and number of treatments performed saw a significant increase after the implementation project. Each specific treatment within the 600-series increased except for 604 (soft occlusalt splint) and 607 (occlusal adjustment) which decreased. Among the three treatments that increased, two were significant: 601, hard acrylic maxillary occlusal splint and 606, jaw exercises. Patients with a dental care subscription received TMD-treatment in a significantly higher degree.    Conclusion: The present study indicates that the implementation of Brief DC/TMD increased diagnostics and treatment of TMD within the general dentistry practice of Folktandvården Västra Götaland during the analysed time periods. Further research is needed to determine the cause behind the performance disparities among the individual clinics. / Sammanfattning Syfte: Att utvärdera effekten av en strukturerad implementation av screening och diagnostik av orofacial smärta och käkfunktion inom Folktandvården Västra Götalands tandvårdskliniker. Samt jämföra patienter med och utan Frisktandvård. Material och metod: Data gällande behandling av bettfysiologiska besvär (600-serie åtgärdskoder) samt undersökningar utförda varje månad var samlade från de 118 anslutna klinikerna under en 24-månadersperiod som varade mellan 2019–2021. Varje parameter delades upp i tre kategorier, alla patienter, patienter med Frisktandvård och patienter utan Frisktandvård. Parametrisk statistik användes för att bedöma förändringarna som utfördes före jämfört med efter implementationen av kort DC/TMD. Students parade t-test användes för att beräkna signifikansen av de observerade förändringarna där ett P-värde <0,05 ansågs signifikant. Resultat: Andelen patienter som fick behandling och antalet utförda behandlingar som en helhet såg en signifikant ökning efter implementationsprojektet i jämförelse med före (procentuell skillnad på 46,8% respektive, 56,5%). Varje enskild behandling inom 600-serien såg en ökning, förutom kod 604 (mjukplastskena) och 607 (bettslipning för ocklusal stabilisering) vilket minskade. Bland de tre behandlingarna som såg en ökning, var två signifikanta: 601 (Bettskena i hård akrylat i överkäken, utförd på bettfysiologisk indikation) samt 606, (motorisk aktivering). Patienter med Frisktandvård fick behandling mot sina bettfysiologiska besvär i en signifikant högre grad. Slutsats: Denna studie indikerar att implementation av kort DC/TMD ökade diagnostik och behandling av TMD inom Folktandvården Västra Götaland under de analyserade tidsperioderna. Vidare forskning behövs för att utvärdera orsaken bakom prestationsskillnaderna mellan de individuella klinikerna.

Syfte. Projektets syfte var att utvärdera två smärtteam, Odontologiska smärtgruppen vid Odontologiska fakulteten, Malmö Högskola och Referensgruppen för långvarig Orofacial Smärta (ROS), Kalmar, gällande arbetssätt samt undersöka patienternas behandlingsresultat och upplevelser av kontakten med respektive smärtteam. Material och metod. Samtliga patienter från Odontologiska smärtgruppen de senaste två åren och ROS de senaste tre åren fick en enkät tillsänd. Femton respektive tretton patienter svarade (67 %). Enkäten omfattade patienternas nuvarande orofaciala smärtintensitet och dess på-verkan på det vardagliga livet, behandlingsresultat, käkfunktion och övriga smärtor.Resultat. Patienter från ROS hade signifikant fler övriga smärtor än patienter från Odontolo-giska smärtgruppen innan kontakt med respektive smärtteam (p = 0,017). Patienterna från ROS ansåg att smärtteamets bemötande var av större vikt för deras tillfrisknande än patienter-na från Odontologiska smärtgruppen (p = 0,025). Hög grad av depression eller ångest (oro, nervositet, ängslan, lite glädje eller intresse av att göra saker) på grund av smärtan under de senaste två veckorna påverkade det vardagliga livet (rs = 0,60, n = 23, p = 0,003) och behand-lingsresultatet negativt (rs = -0,55, n = 26, p = 0,004) samt begränsade käkfunktionen (rs = 0,50, n = 26, p = 0,004). Slutsats. Studien tyder på att patienter som utreds i ROS har fler andra smärtor än patienter från Odontologiska smärtgruppen. Patienter som utreds i ROS förefaller anse att smärtteamets bemötande var av större vikt för deras tillfrisknande. Gemensamt för alla deltagande patienter var att depression och ångest påverkar det dagliga livet negativt, att behandlingsresultatet blir sämre och att käkfunktionen är mer begränsad. / Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two pain groups (“Odontologiska smärtgruppen” at the Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University and “Referensgruppen för långvarig Orofacial Smärta” (ROS), Kalmar) and to investigate patients’ experiences regarding communication and treatment effects.Material and methods. All patients examined by the Odontologiska smärtgruppen the last two years and ROS the last three years were invited to participate in a questionnaire study. Fifteen patients from Odontologiska smärtgruppen and thirteen from ROS responded (67 %). The questionnaire assessed current pain intensity, the impact of pain on everyday life, treatment outcome, jaw function and number of pains.Results. Patients from ROS had significantly higher number of other pains before contact with their pain group (p = 0,017). Patients from ROS considered the personal communication with the pain group to be of greater importance for their recovery (p = 0,025) then the patients from the Odontologiska smärtgruppen. Common to all patients was that depression or anxiety (nervousness, uneasiness, little pleasure or interest in doing things) due to orofacial pain the last two weeks had a major negative impact on activities of daily life, treatment result and jaw function limitation.Conclusion. This study suggests that patients evaluated at ROS have higher number of other pains before contact with their pain group. The personalized contact with the pain group was of greater importance for the recovery for the patients of ROS. Common to all patients were that depression and anxiety have a major negative impact on activities of daily life, treatment result and limitation of jaw function.

Syfte. Studiens syfte var att retrospektivt undersöka vilka kliniska variabler, bedömda under specialistundersökning av orofacial smärta, som kan förutsäga närvaro av en störd central smärtmodulering (DCPM). Material och metod. DC/TMD-data hämtades ur patientjournaler från 86 patienter som undersökts på Orofaciala smärtenheten på Malmö Universitet under perioden september 2012 till och med december 2013. Undersökta variabler omfattade smärtintensitet, smärtutbredning, smärtrelaterad nedsatthet, psykosociala variabler, refererad smärta samt kliniska fynd under somatosensoriska undersökningar. Baserat på denna data delades patienterna upp i en DCPM-grupp och en grupp utan DCPM. Allodyni, hyperalgesi, dysestesi, wind-up, regional/generell smärtutbredning samt eftersensation ansågs vara markörer för DCPM. Icke-parametriska statistiska analyser användes och en sannolikhetsnivå på P<0,05 ansågs vara signifikant. Resultat. Graden av ospecifika fysiska symptom och antalet refererande smärtor var signifikant högre i DCPM-gruppen. Den multivariata logistiska regressionen visade att ospecifika fysiska symptom, stress, smärtduration, smärtintensitet, smärtrelaterad nedsatthet, antalet refererande smärtpunkter, maximal gapning med och utan smärta, ångest samt antalet smärtinducerande käkrörelser var signifikanta marörer för DCPM (LR Chi2 = 26.89, p = 0.003, Pseudo R2 = 0.29). Slutsats. Denna studie indikerar att stress, ångest, smärtduration, smärtintensitet, smärtrelaterad nedsatthet, antalet refererande smärtpunkter, maximal gapning med och utan smärta samt antalet smärtinducerande käkrörelser är associerat med DCPM hos patienter med orofacial smärta. / Objective. To retrospectively investigate clinical variables that can predict the presence of disturbed central pain modulation (DCPM). Material and methods Medical records of 86 patients examined at the Orofacial Pain Unit at Malmö University from September 2012 to December 2013 were examined regarding pain intensity, pain distribution, pain-related disability, psychosocial variables, referred pain as well as somatosensory changes. Based on these variables, the patients were divided into a disturbed central pain modulation (DCPM) group and a non-DCPM group. Allodynia, hyperalgesia, dysesthesia, increased wind-up, regional/general pain distribution and aftersensation were considered as markers for DCPM. Non-parametric statistics were used and a probability level of P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results. The degree of unspecific physical symptoms and the number of sites eliciting pain referral were significantly higher in the DCPM group. In the multivariate regression model, the independent variables physical symptoms, stress, pain duration, characteristic pain intensity, pain-related disability, number of sites with referred pain, maximum mouth opening with and without pain, anxiety, and number of pain eliciting jaw movements significantly predicted DCPM (LR Chi2 = 26.89, p = 0.003, Pseudo R2 = 0.29). Conclusion. This study indicates that stress, anxiety, orofacial pain and its consequences, unspecific physical symptoms and jaw dysfunction are clinical signs of DCPM in patients with orofacial pain. Also, high number of palpations sites with referred pain over the masseter and temporal muscles and the TMJ indicate presence of DCPM.

This thesis "Speech Therapy of Children with Developmental Dysarthria" deals with dysarthria and specific therapeutic methods that can be used in the context of speech therapy for children with this specific type of communication disorder. Part of the thesis includes the complete terminological definition of dysarthria etiology, its classification, its diagnosis and a detailed treatment of therapeutic methods. This thesis also includes supplemental methods, which is important for good child developmental and positively influences child speech. The main objective is to introduce potential therapeutic methods and subsequently analyze the frequency of their use in speech therapy. This thesis can be used as inspiration for speech therapists, who will lead therapy with children who have dysarthria.

INTRODUÇÃO: Doentes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço têm sérias restrições funcionais e grande comprometimento das funções bucais. Esses problemas tornam-se complexos quando o câncer é incurável, exigindo exclusivamente cuidados paliativos. Nesta condição, os sintomas habituais agravam-se necessitando de atenção e cuidados especiais. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico não-controlado, incluindo doentes com câncer avançado de cabeça e pescoço exclusivamente em cuidados paliativos, com o objetivo de caracterizar a sua condição clínica orofacial; avaliar a funcionalidade, a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e a efetividade de um protocolo de cuidados odontológicos (preventivos, curativos e paliativos) no controle da dor e das queixas orofaciais, na qualidade de vida, prognóstico e sobrevida desses doentes. MÉTODOS: Avaliação Odontológica através da Ficha Clínica da Equipe de Dor Orofacial/ATM - HCFMUSP, Prontuário médico, Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), Índice gengival, Avaliação quanto à presença de cálculo dentário, Avaliação da mobilidade dentária, Escala de Numérica de Dor (END), Classificação do odor das feridas, Avaliação do edema lingual, Índice CPO-D, Questionário de Qualidade de Vida da Universidade de Washington (UW-QOL), Escala de Desempenho Funcional de Karnofsky (KPS) e o Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 40 doentes, entre setembro de 2006 e abril de 2009, com média de idade de 60,4±10,8 anos, sendo 90% do gênero masculino; quanto ao tumor, 100,0% eram carcinomas; 65,0% localizavam-se na orofaringe; 52,5% apresentavam metástases; quanto à condição clínica, 72,5% tinham doenças cardiovasculares; 45,0% eram traqueostomizados; 22,5% utilizavam sonda nasogástrica; a média do escore do KPS pré-tratamento odontológico foi de 69,5±14,5. As queixas principais mais relatadas foram: dor em 67,5% e disfagia em 22,5%, com uma mediana de 3,0 queixas por doente. Os sinais mais encontrados foram as lesões bucais em 70,0%, lesões extrabucais em 52,5% e a babação em 45,5%; odor nas feridas tumorais foi observado em 25,0%; edema lingual em 32,5%; infecções oportunistas em 30,0%; O sintoma mais relatado à questão direta foi a dor em 82,5%, com tempo mediano de duração de 8,0 meses. A média da EVA foi de 5,4 ± 3,4; 54,5% apresentavam dor em outras regiões corpóreas; 70,0% faziam uso do terceiro degrau da escada analgésica da OMS, com uma mediana de 2,0 medicações analgésicas por doente; o CPO-D médio foi de 26,1±8,7; mobilidade dentária foi observada em 10,2%; o escore médio da qualidade de vida pré-tratamento odontológico foi de 50,2±14,5. O gênero feminino apresentou melhor qualidade de vida relacionada à atividade (p=0,031), deglutição (p=0,043) e ao escore total (p=0,020). Os doentes com localização tumoral em orofaringe comparativamente a cavidade bucal apresentaram pior qualidade de vida relacionada ao ombro (p=0,028). Os doentes com tempo de diagnóstico inferior a 12 meses apresentaram melhor qualidade de vida relacionada à aparência (p=0,031), saliva (p=0,004) e ao escore total (p=0,031). Os doentes com tempo de dor inferior a 12 meses apresentaram melhor qualidade de vida relacionada ao escore total (p=0,030). Os doentes que ingeriam os alimentos por boca possuíam uma melhor qualidade de vida relacionada à aparência (p=0,023), deglutição (p=0,031) e ao escore total (p=0,010). Os doentes que apresentavam babação possuíam uma pior qualidade de vida relacionada à aparência (p=0,027), recreação (p=0,048) e ao escore total (p=0,034). Os doentes que se locomoviam normalmente possuíam uma melhor qualidade de vida relacionada à atividade (p=0,004) e ao escore total (p=0,001). Todos os doentes receberam tratamentos preventivos e paliativos. Tratamento curativo foi realizado em 30,0% dos doentes. Após o tratamento odontológico houve melhora subjetiva de 100,0% das lesões bucais nãotumorais e da candidíase bucal dos doentes; redução do número de queixas principais (p<0,001) bem como dos locais destas queixas (p<0,001); redução do número total de medicações (p=0,052) e do número de medicações analgésicas (p=0,032); redução da intensidade de dor (EVA) (p=0,015); redução da capacidade funcional (KPS) (p=0,008); não se observou alteração em relação ao PPI (p=0,890); em relação a avaliação da qualidade de vida através do UW-QOL observou-se melhora para a aparência (p=0,049) e tendência de piora para o ombro (p=0,058). Na análise de regressão logística multivariada, o KPS pré-tratamento odontológico foi preditor independente de piora da qualidade de vida (OR=0,928; IC95%=0,864-0,996; p=0,039). No período do estudo, 70,0% (n=28) dos doentes foram a óbito. Apresentaram tempo mediano de sobrevida de 4,0 meses (IC95%=2,5-5,5), em 17 meses a probabilidade de sobrevida foi de 6,0%. Foram fatores preditores independentes de óbito: o domínio mastigação do UW-QOL pós-tratamento odontológico (p=0,034), a questão geral A do UW-QOL pós-tratamento odontológico (p<0,001) e o escore total da qualidade de vida (p=0,015). CONCLUSÕES: Após o tratamento odontológico houve redução da intensidade da dor, do número de medicação sistêmica utilizada para o controle da dor e do número de queixas; a melhora da mastigação teve impacto positivo na sobrevida, sendo que os doentes que melhoraram a qualidade de vida tiveram sobrevida superior em duas vezes. Além disso, o gênero masculino foi mais acometido; a orofaringe foi a localização mais frequente; a dor e a disfagia foram as queixas mais relatadas; lesões bucais ou extrabucais estavam presentes em todos os doentes que apresentavam higiene bucal precária e infecções odontogênicas ou oportunistas; a qualidade de vida foi superior no gênero feminino; pior nos doentes com tempo de diagnóstico e de dor superior a 12 meses; pior nos doentes que apresentavam babação; pior nos que não se alimentavam por via oral e pior nos que não deambulavam; A funcionalidade pré-tratamento odontológico foi preditora independente de qualidade de vida. / INTRODUCTION: Patients with head and neck cancer have severe functional restrictions. Oral function is critically compromised. These problems become complex when the cancer is untreatable and the patient receives only palliative care. In this circumstance, the usual symptoms worsen and require special attention and care. A non-controlled clinical trial was done with advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving only palliative care. The objectives were to characterize their clinical orofacial condition; assess their functionality; assess their health-related quality of life; and assess the effectiveness of a dental care protocol (preventive, curative and palliative) in controlling pain and orofacial and quality of life complaints, and its effectiveness on prognosis and survival. METHODS: Dental assessment followed the clinical protocol used by the Orofacial/TMJ Pain Team - HCFMUSP. Data were also collected from the patients\' medical records. Further assessment included administration of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Gingival Index, Numeric Pain Scale (NPS), University of Washington quality of life questionnaire (UW-QOL), Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI); assessment of dental calculus, tooth mobility, tongue swelling, decaying, missing and filled teeth (DMFT); and lesion odor classification. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included between September 2006 and April 2009, with a mean age of 60.4±10.8 years. Of these, 90% were males. All patients had carcinomas, 65.0% were in the oropharynx and 52.5% had metastasized. Most (72.5%) of the patients also had cardiovascular diseases, 45.0% had undergone a tracheotomy and 22.5% used a nasogastric probe. The mean KPS score before dental treatment was 69.5±14.5. The main complaints were: pain (67.5%) and dysphagia (22.5%), with a median of three complaints per patient. The most common signs were oral lesions (70.0%), extraoral lesions (52.5%), drooling (45.5%), malodorous lesions (25.0%), tongue swelling (32.5%) and opportunistic infections (30.0%). The most common complaint when prompted was pain (82.5%). The median duration of pain was 8.0 months. The mean VAS score was 5.4 ± 3.4; 54.5% presented pain in other body areas; 70.0% required strong opioids to control pain (Step 3 WHO Analgesic Ladder), with a median of two painkillers per patient; the mean DMFT score was 26.1±8.7; tooth mobility was seen in 10.2% of the patients; the mean quality-of-life score before dental treatment was 50.2±14.5. Females presented better activity-related quality of life (p=0.031), deglutition (p=0.043) and total score (p=0.020). Patients with oropharynx tumors had worse shoulder-related quality of life than patients with oral tumors (p=0.028). Patients diagnosed in the previous 12 months presented better appearancerelated quality of life (p=0.031), saliva (p=0.004) and total score (p=0.031). Patients who had been experiencing pain for less than 12 months presented higher total QOL score (p=0.030). Patients who could still eat presented better appearance-related quality of life (p=0.023), deglutition (p=0.031) and total score (p=0.010). Patients who drooled presented worse appearancerelated quality of life (p=0.027), recreation (p=0.048) and total score (p=0.034). Patients who could walk normally presented better activity-related quality of life (p=0.004) and total score (p=0.001). All patients received preventive and palliative treatments. Curative treatment was provided for 30.0% of the patients. Dental treatment subjectively improved 100.0% of nontumorous oral lesions and oral candidiasis; reduced the number of main complaints (p<0.001) and the location associated with these complaints (p<0.001); reduced the total number of medications (p=0.052) and pain killers (p=0.032) needed by the patient; reduced the number of complaints (p<0.001) and pain intensity (VAS) (p=0.015); and improved functional capacity (KPS) (p=0.008). PPI did not change (p=0.890). According to the UW-QOL, appearance improved (p=0.049) and the shoulder tended to get worse (p=0.058). According to multivariate logistic regression, KPS before dental treatment independently predicted worse quality of life (OR=0.928; CI95%=0.864-0.996; p=0.039). During the study, 70.0% (n=28) of the patients died. Mean survival was 4.0 months (CI95%=2.5-5.5). In 17 months, the odds of survival were 6.0%. Factors that independently predicted death were the UW-QOL mastication domain after dental treatment (p=0.034), UWQOL general question A after dental treatment (p<0.001) and total QOL score (p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: After dental treatment there was a reduction in pain intensity, number of systemic medications used for controlling pain and number of complaints. Improved mastication had a positive impact on survival. Patients whose QOL improved survived for twice as long; males prevailed; the oropharynx was the most common location; pain and dysphagia were the most common complaints; oral and extraoral lesions were present in all patients with poor oral hygiene and odontogenic or opportunistic infections; females had better quality of life; patients who had been diagnosed and felt pain for more than 12 months had worse QOL; patients who drooled or could not eat or walk also had worse QOL. Functionality before dental treatment was an independent predictor of QOL.