Oral and dental care for patients on palliative care

Abstract

Therapeutic improvements and epidemiologic changes over the last three decades have led to increased numbers of survivors and aged population, resulting in greater need for continuing management of oral and dental health in this population. Generally, the palliative care patient oral health needs are complex, requiring multidisciplinary collaboration among medical and dental professionals with special knowledge and training in the field of oral medicine and oncology. This chapter offers clinical protocols and information for medical providers to assist in understanding oral complications and their management in these patients and survivors, and their oral and dental health care needs. Oral and dental care is impacted by the patient’s initial oral and dental status, as well as the specific disorder for cancer location, type, and its treatment; thus, close communication between the dental professional and the medical team is required for appropriate therapy. Patients undergoing palliative care are at high risk of oral complications with the potential of causing significant morbidity and mortality. Dental professionals should play a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of oral sequelae in thesis patients. However, the dental and medical community is not well informed/experienced in managing the oral complications of these vulnerable group.