Within the mostcurrent concepts of health, it is of fundamental importance to consider the
patient in a holistic manner. A multidisciplinary team should form the oncology
group, especially in the hospital setting. The role of a dentist on this team
is to diagnose, prevent and minimize the immediate effects of chemotherapy
and/or radiotherapy as well as identify the effects of treatment to improve the
quality of life of patients.
The objective of
the protocol is to establish a standard for the care of patients with cancer.
Emphasize the importance of oral health, in support for outcomes associated
with oral care health, the knowledge of oral health for effectiveness in
continuing the therapeutic treatment of cancer and awareness of effects acute
and late in the mouth from cancer therapy: prevention of local and systemic
infections, control pain, maintain oral functions, reduce side effects and
improve the quality of life of patients.
Hematopoietic Stem
Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is a procedure that requires conditioning to high
doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Dental treatment prior of HSCT is
important. The oral mucosa and teeth should be examined using panoramic
radiography to document oral status prior to HSCT. Moreover, such patients need
to develop a specific oral hygiene regimen, the instructions for which should
be clear and concise. Motivation and understanding with regard to oral care can
have a considerable impact during HSCT. Bacterial plaque should also be
evaluated, as this is a key factor to the development of gingival and
periodontal disease and can contribute to acute infection as well as systemic
disorders.
The dental
evaluation should be initiated with a panoramic radiograph to gain a broad view
of dental treatment and remove any sources of active or potential infection in
the oral cavity. Acute and chronic oral infections, such as dental caries and
periodontal disease, as well as teeth with questionable prognoses justify an
aggressive approach, as any odontogenic infection in an immune suppressed
patient can progress to a systemic infection with a possible risk of death. The
goal of dental care is to establish a standardized oral evaluation.
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