Dental management of patients undergoing chemotherapy

Of the increasing number of patients receiving chemotherapy, about 40 percent will develop significant oral problems during each exposure to the medication. Because of its rapid growth and cell turnover rate, the oral mucosa is very vulnerable to chemotherapy. Essentially all oral complications of the therapy occur through direct or indirect stomatotoxicity. The goal of care for this patient population is to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa, prevent secondary infection, provide pain relief and maintain dietary intake.