Dental Surgey
The dental surgery department is thoroughly involved in providing preventive dental care to all cancer patients, especially those for whom oral hygiene is important prior to cancer treatment. This includes anyone who will be requiring surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplant.
The department is also tasked with the rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients with obturators, guide plane prostheses, tongue prostheses etc. after ablative surgery. Options for Implant-retained maxillofacial prostheses (intra-oral & extra-oral) are also available for patients who need them for their treatment.
The Role of Dental Care for a Cancer Patient
A thorough oral evaluation by a knowledgeable dentist before cancer treatment begins is important to the success of the routine. Before the beginning of the treatment, proper dental care can achieve the following:
- Reduces the risk and severity of oral complications.
- Allows for prompt identification and treatment of existing infections or other problems.
- Improves the likelihood that the patient will successfully complete planned cancer treatment.
- Prevents, eliminates, or reduces oral pain.
- Minimizes oral infections that could lead to potentially serious systemic infections.
- Prevents or minimizes complications that compromise nutrition.
- Prevents or reduces later incidence of bone necrosis.
- Preserves or improves oral health.
- Provides an opportunity for patient education about oral hygiene during cancer therapy.
- Improves the quality of life.
- Decreases the cost of care
- Dental extractions
- Oral prophylaxis
- Fluoride gel applications
- Intra-oral prostheses
- Removable partial dentures
- Implant retained prostheses