Oral Management of Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Oral cancer accounts for around 30 percent of all cancers in India. These cancers are usually managed either by surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these modalities. Dental oncologists play an integral part in the multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, nurses, physician assistants, nutritionists, psychologists and social workers to efficiently manage cancer patients. Oral complications associated with cancer therapy can range from minor mucositis or infections to severely debilitating conditions such as osteonecrosis of jaws, which can disrupt the ongoing cancer therapy and jeopardize the overall quality of life of the patient. This highlights the primary role of a dentist in the efficient identification and management of potential oral foci of infection and subsequent prevention of the onset of these complications. This necessitates accurate, evidence-based knowledge and extensive training of dental oncologists to provide state-of-the-art management strategies. This article aims to review oral management before, during and after therapy in patients undergoing treatment for cancers affecting the head and neck region.