DENT 3115 - Oral Oncology

[14 Hours]

The objective of this course is to have students gain knowledge about oral care for the oral-cancer patient. The student will be presented the requirements of oral care for oral-cancer patients by the dentist before, during and after oral-cancer therapy either by radiation, surgery or chemotherapy, as well as combinations of these methods. Students will be instructed in the management of problems such as osteoradionecrosis, xerostomia, tooth demineralization (radiation caries), tooth sensitivity, mucositis, edema, necrosis of soft tissue, malnutrition, speech problems, drooling, with special emphasis on prevention. Prosthetic management of the pre- and post-surgical oral -cancer patient will be included. The material will be presented during lectures and supplemented by slide presentations. Lecture handouts will be used to describe in detail the steps for construction of appliances. Subject matter includes pre-surgical aids, prostheses inserted at the time of surgery and post-surgical fabrication, placement and adjustment of appliances to correct maxillary, mandibular and extraoral defects. (Department of Prosthodontics)