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Oral and Dental Health in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

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Multidisciplinary Care of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 174))

Abstract

A diagnosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) is typically followed by therapy that is associated with immediate and long-lasting toxic consequences. HNC patients’ oral health needs may be complex and are best addressed in multidisciplinary collaborative teams including surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, dental providers, nutrition, speech/swallow specialists, and physical therapists. Oral health maintenance also requires patient compliance and caregiver support. The role of dental providers begins prior to cancer diagnosis and continues through survivorship. This includes oral screening and health maintenance, management of common oral complications such as mucositis, pain, infection, salivary dysfunction, altered taste, and dental decay, as well as complex issues that include soft tissue fibrosis, osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, dysphagia, and recurrent/new primary malignancies. As the number of potential therapeutic interventions for HNC increase, so do the spectrum of side effects affecting the oral cavity, oropharynx, and dentition. Specific approaches to oral care must be tailored to the idiosyncrasies of the patient and his/her therapy and condition. Oral and dental care is impacted by the patient’s oral and dental status prior to cancer therapy, as well as the specific cancer type, location, stage, and its treatment and potential comorbid conditions. Communication between the dental professional and the oncology team is required for appropriate therapy and is best accomplished by integrated healthcare teams.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cedars-Sinai Health System, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Joel B. Epstein

  2. Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA

    Joel B. Epstein

  3. Dept of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Andrei Barasch

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  1. Joel B. Epstein
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  2. Andrei Barasch
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Correspondence to Joel B. Epstein .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA

    Ellie Maghami

  2. Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Allen S. Ho

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Epstein, J.B., Barasch, A. (2018). Oral and Dental Health in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. In: Maghami, E., Ho, A. (eds) Multidisciplinary Care of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 174. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65421-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65421-8_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-65421-8

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