Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: What the Dental Team Can Do

With over 1.9 million new cases of cancer diagnosed each year, you will likely see some of these patients in your practice. Because cancer treatment can affect the oral tissues, dental providers need to know about potential oral side effects. Preexisting or untreated oral disease can also complicate cancer treatment. Your role in patient management can extend benefits beyond the oral cavity.

Oral complications from radiation to the head and neck or chemotherapy for any malignancy can compromise patients’ health and quality of life and affect their ability to complete planned cancer treatment. For some patients, the complications can be so debilitating that they may tolerate only lower doses of therapy, postpone scheduled treatments, or discontinue treatment entirely. Oral complications can also lead to serious systemic infections. Medically necessary oral care before, during, and after cancer treatment can prevent or reduce the incidence and severity of oral complications, enhancing both patient survival and quality of life.

To assist dental providers in managing their patients with cancer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a guide that details treatment complications and oral care considerations.