Cancer and Oral Health: Oral Complications and Dental Management

Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Classroom:  Solana H&I

Cancer accounts for 23% of deaths in the US. It is a devastating disease that has many physical, emotional and social implications. Specifically, head and neck cancers affect approximately 3% of the US population. These cancers can lead to severe oral complications, even when treated. Despite recent advances in imaging, surgery, radiation and systemic therapies, the overall survival rate has only improved by about 15% in the last 50 years. Dentists play an integral role in the prevention of head and neck cancers and in the dental management of patients going through cancer treatment. This course will review the epidemiology of head and neck cancers, prevention methods, treatment modalities, and the role of the dental professional.

Learning Objectives:
- Describe the surgical, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, as they relate to a person's oral health.
- Describe the dental management protocols for patients before, during, and after cancer treatments.
- Describe the presentation of head and neck cancers and their treatments.
- Describe how to perform oral cancer screenings.
- List the oral complications of cancer treatments.
- Understand recent advances in head and cancer treatments and prevention strategies.