What is Dental Oncology? 

Dental Oncology is a focus of dentistry dedicated to meeting the distinct dental and oral health care needs that arise as a result of cancer therapy.

It is devoted to improving the well-being and quality of life of people battling cancer. Dental oncology goes beyond the scope of general dental treatment to include management of the soft tissue of the mouth and care for oral side effects specific to cancer treatment. It also emphasizes oral cancer prevention and early detection.

As an oncology-focused practice, I have first-hand knowledge of the emotions and questions that result from a cancer diagnosis. my team‘s experience in treating and managing the complications that arise as a result of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other immunosuppressive treatments can reduce the emotional and physical toll these can take on our patients. By seeing patients soon after diagnosis, we work to prevent significant oral pain and infection by addressing oral health before treatment begins. For those patients who have already begun receiving care, we can effectively manage oral health and dental needs throughout treatment and beyond.

If you answer yes...

to any of the following questions, you owe it to yourself to have an experienced oncology-focused dentist on your cancer care team.

Will your cancer treatment involve chemotherapy?

For most chemotherapeutic drugs, severe dry mouth is a major side effect. Untreated dry mouth can lead to rapid decaying of the teeth and increase the risk for oral infection. Dry mouth also affects chewing and swallowing.

Will your cancer treatment involve radiation therapy to your head or neck?

Head and neck radiation therapy affects the bone that supports the teeth. Dental work should be completed and dental clearance given before the commencement of radiation therapy. Salivary glands are often included in the field of radiation and extreme dry mouth may result. Oral ulcers are common when radiation is administered to the head and neck. The patient undergoing head and neck radiation must make oral hygiene a top priority for his or her lifetime.

Do you want a specially-trained expert to monitor your oral health throughout your cancer treatment? 

Oral pain can affect eating which ultimately influences proper nutrition. Mouth sores are painful and can become so debilitating that scheduled cancer therapy may be placed on hold until the ulcers are resolved. Delaying cancer treatment may affect a successful outcome.

Will your cancer treatment include a class of drugs
known as bisphosphonates? 

Bisphosphonates may be included as part of the drug regimen for patients with bone metastases. These drugs affect the jaws causing some concern for certain dental procedures. The risk for complications could last a lifetime, but can be well-managed with proper dental care from an oncology focused dentist.

Has it been more than one year since your last dental cleaning?

Dental plaque contains bacteria. Most cancer treatments lower the immune system’s ability to combat microorganisms. A bacterial load that would be well-controlled under normal circumstances may easily turn into an infection requiring hospitalization. A significant number of bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) cases during cancer therapy are believed to be of an oral origin.