Purpose With the suspension of routine services due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a significant number of the population has been presenting acute oral alterations without proper treatment. Through telecontact, this study aimed to identify individuals in treatment and had been treated for cancer who had their clinical dental care interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Individuals with oncologic diseases were selected from a telephone list of a clinical research center specializing in the care of cancer patients. We included those who answered an online questionnaire about their general health status and oral problems when they were unable to access dental care during the pandemic. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher and Chi-square tests. The significance level was set at 5% (p<0.05). Results Of the 280 patients recruited, 104 answered the questionnaire. There were 75 (72.1%) were women, of which 22 (36.7%) were under antineoplastic treatment, and 30 (68.2%) had already been treated; 29 (27.9%) were men, of which 15 (25.0%) were under antineoplastic treatment and 14 (31.8%) had already been treated. Of the universal sample, 64 (61.5%) had no complaints regarding their general health, and 74 (71.1%) had no difficulties in their daily activities due to teeth/mouth problems. However, the rates of oral problems were not statistically significant (p=NS). Conclusion In dentistry, telephone support and digital tools are useful and necessary instruments for the follow-up of cancer patients during the pandemic.

Purpose This study identifies the impact of the absence of dental support for patients with cancer whose clinical dental care was interrupted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods Individuals with oncologic diseases were selected from a telephone list of a Clinical Research Center (CRC) that specialized in the care of patients with cancer at the Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (FOB/USP). The convenience sample comprised 280 patients (aged > 18 years) with a history of cancer that underwent dental treatment at the FOB/USP CRC in 2019 and did not receive care in 2020 owing to the pandemic. The participants completed a questionnaire sent via email or a text messaging application. Individuals receiving treatment or who were already treated for cancer were divided into two groups for data tabulation. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher’s and chi-square tests. Results Of the 280 patients, 104 answered the questionnaire, and 75 (72.1%) were women. Among the women, 45 (60.0%) were receiving antineoplastic treatment, and 30 (40.0%) had already been treated. Among the men, 15 (51.7%) were receiving antineoplastic treatment, and 14 (48.3%) had already been treated. Regarding oral problems that arose during the pandemic, dental pain when eating hot or cold food or drinks (57.0%), muscle pain (53.8%), and difficulties when chewing (51.0%) were the most common reported among patients. Furthermore, most individuals reported not having received any type of remote dental follow-up, before being contacted by our team, which could contribute to reducing these oral problems. Conclusion It is impossible to say whether the absence of dental support in cancer patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a negative impact on oral issue rates.