Title : Dental care before, during and after the cancer therapy in oral cancer patients
Abstract:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm in the worldwide. Oral carcinoma is a global health problem with rising incidence and mortality. Oral cavity and lip cancers account for 377,713 new cancer cases and 177,757 deaths per year around the world (Globocan 2020). As compared to the developed countries, the load of oral cancer is significantly greater in developing countries. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is treated primarily by surgery followed by adjuvant therapy, depending upon the stage (early and advanced) and histopathological characteristics. Oral and dental health can be severely compromised during the cancer therapy such as surgery and radiotherapy. Hence there is a great need to focus on oral and dental health of oral cancer patients. Oral health plays an important role in the quality of life, dental problems like loose crowns or faulty restorations, traumatized teeth and periodontal diseases can get worse during the oral cancer treatment. If dental problems are treated prior cancer therapy, the oral complications may be milder or less severe. Time must be made accessible during the pre-treatment phase for a dental evaluation and essential emergency care, particularly when radiotherapy is planned and for those where dental treatment may be contraindicated once oncology intervention starts. So the dental assessment is advisable one month before cancer treatment begins. Oral complications related with cancer therapy are frequent. Early complications comprise oral mucositis, dysgeusia, xerostomia and dysphagia. Late complications comprise hyposalivation, trismus, dysphagia and osteoradionecrosis. Therefore the aim of this paper is to spread awareness about the complete dental Care before, during and after the cancer therapy and to diminish or prevent the potentially devastating side effects such as xerostomia, trismus, oral mucositis, dysphagia, osteoradionecrosis etc and help to maintain the highest possible overall well-being of cancer patients.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- The aim of this presentation is to spread awareness about oral / dental assessment, oral hygiene instruction, brushing technique, dental decay, removal of trauma, periodontal treatment and dental extractions (which teeth to extract and timing of extractions). An appropriate preventive regimens, timely oral care and improved dental services can minimize complications and improve quality of life.
- Oral complications related with cancer therapy are frequent. The most common oral complications related to cancer therapy are oral mucositis, xerostomia, dysgeusia, trismus, osteoradionecrosis and dysphagia. The purpose of this presentation is to present an overview of oral complications, and their possible management, after cancer therapy.
- Time must be made accessible during the pre-treatment phase for a dental evaluation and essential emergency care, particularly when radiotherapy is planned and for those where dental treatment may be contraindicated once oncology intervention starts. So the dental assessment is advisable one month before cancer treatment begins.
