Patient teaching: mouth and pharyngeal assessment

BOX 30—1 6 PATIENT TEACHING Mouth and Pharyngeal Assessment Objective 0 Patient will practice proper oral hygiene/dental care measures and identify symptoms of oral cancer. Teaching Strategies 0 Discuss propertechniques for oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing (see Chapter 39). 0 Explain the early warning signs of oral cavity and pharynx cancer that should be checked by a health care professional, including a mouth sore that bleeds easily and does not heal, a lump or thickening in the cheek, a white or red patch on the mucosa that persists, a sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat, numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth, or a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to not fit (Oral Cancer Foundation, 2011). 0 Late symptoms of oral cancer are difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw (ACS, 2011). - Encourage regular dental examination every 6 months for children, adults, and older adults. Evaluation 0 Ask patient to demonstrate brushing. 0 Have patient identify when to have regular dental checkups. 0 Have patient identify the warning signs of oral cavity and pharynx cancer that require further evaluation by a health care provider.