Cancer patients require educated, experienced dentists for treatment.
Integration of oral care with oncology care is important, especially when advances in cancer treatment include various radiotherapies, chemotherapies, target treatment agents, immunotherapies, and maintenance therapy.
Dental care can represent a clinical challenge, that highlights the need for collaboration and good communication between the treating physician/oncology care team and the dental care team.
Dental specialists with sufficient training and experience should be sought out by patients in order to ensure that their care is optimum for appropriate, safe, and effective oral care.
Patient Education
Similarly, patient education is important regarding potential oral side effects from cancer therapy, their prevention, surveillance check ups, as well as prophylactic oral and systemic care.
Oral compromise during cancer therapy, including mucositis, infection, mouth sores, taste changes, and pain, can be significant. These side effects and toxicities can alter all aspects of oral and oropharyngeal functions affecting diet/taste, dry mouth, swallowing, chewing — and nutrition.
An accurate knowledge of the burden of the diagnosis, treatment care, and potential oral complications associated with cancer therapies will facilitate appropriate management of oral complication potential.
Managing Oral Complications
Common oral complications during cancer treatment include:
Mucositis (inflammation of the mouth lining)
Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
Bleeding
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Taste alterations
Difficulty swallowing
Jaw pain or stiffness
Key Takeaways
Prevention of oral complications, early recognition, and management will help bridge timely support through medical intervention for ultimate best outcomes to be achieved as part of cancer care.
Bottom line: pre-cancer treatment dental assessment and care is imperative, in order to possibly side-step issues, and manage complications from moving into cancer therapy.
