Oral Considerations for the Head and Neck Cancer Patient

Oral oncology/maxillofacial prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the prevention and treatment of the oral morbidities associated with treatment of cancer, as well as the oral prosthetic rehabilitation following tumor ablative surgery. Treatment of cancer in the head and neck can have substantial posttreatment oral morbidities, decreasing the overall quality of life of survivors. Minimizing or reducing these oral challenges becomes increasingly important as the survivability of these cancers improves, particularly those in the oropharynx. Relatively minor interventions, such as pre-treatment oral examination, judicious/strategic dental extractions, patient education, and daily fluoride treatments, can have a dramatic impact in the prevention or reduction of mucositis, osteoradionecrosis, and postradiation dental caries. This chapter will describe practical approaches for the preventing, recognizing, and treating the oral sequelae associated with cancer therapy. This chapter will also describe the most common oral prostheses using after tumor ablative surgery and their indication for use.