Oral Complications of Cancer Therapies

After completing this course you’ll be able to:

1. Define the role of pretherapy interventions affecting the oral cavity in reducing the incidence of oral complications in the cancer patient.
2. Identify optimal pretreatment strategies to prevent or minimize oral complications.
3. Identify the most effective strategies for management of acute oral complications.
4. Describe preferred strategies for management of chronic oral complications following cancer therapy.
5. Discuss areas for future research in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of oral complications in the cancer patient.
6. Differentiate between oral complications resulting from chemotherapy and those from radiation therapy.
7. List various clinical problems in the oral cavity associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
8. Describe 3 objectives of pretreatment dental evaluation.
9. Describe the diagnosis and treatment: of following acute oral complications occurring during cancer treatment: mucosal inflammation and ulceration, viral infection, oral candidiasis, bacterial infections, mucosal bleeding.
10. Identify 3 strategies for the management of chronic xerostomia.
11. Describe the oral complications arising from the treatment of cancer in children.
12. Make 7 recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral complications of cancer therapies.
13. List 8 oral complications common to both chemotherapy and radiation, 2 additional complications of chemotherapy, and 3 additional complications of radiation therapy.
14. Classify patients according to their risk for oral complications.
15. List 10 primary objectives of pretreatment oral care.
16. List 8 steps that should be taken as part of pretreatment evaluation before cancer treatment begins.
17. Discuss with the patient the need for supplemental fluoride and provide instructions in its proper use.
18. Provide detailed instructions to patients undergoing cancer therapies on specific oral care practices.
19. List 5 specific instructions for patients experiencing dry mouth.
20. Describe 5 points of follow up oral care for patients having undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
21. Discuss special considerations for bone marrow/cell transplant patients.
22. List 8 oral complications common to both chemotherapy and radiation, 2 additional complications of chemotherapy, and 3 additional complications of radiation therapy.
23. Classify patients according to their risk for oral complications.
24. List 10 primary objectives of pretreatment oral care.
25. List 8 steps that should be taken as part of pretreatment evaluation before cancer treatment begins.
26. Discuss with the patient the need for supplemental fluoride and provide instructions in its proper use.
27. Provide detailed instructions to patients undergoing cancer therapies on specific oral care practices.
28. List 5 specific instructions for patients experiencing dry mouth.
29. Describe 5 points of follow up oral cancer for patients having undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
30. Discuss special considerations for bone marrow/cell transplant patients.