Preoperative Dental Care in Older Adults with Oral Cancer.
Elder Care with Oral Cancer
http://revista.colegiodentistas.org/index.php/revistaodontologica/article/view/84/169
Dr. Jessica Bonilla Gazel
General Dentist, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Odontogeriatría Specialist, Federal University of Parana, Brazil
Dr. José Miguel Amenábar-Cespedes
Assistant Professor Counselor – UFPR, Professor Specialization Course Odontogeriatría – Federal University of Paraná
ABSTRACT
The increase in life expectancy as a result has brought an increase in the number of people aged over 60 years, with those above this age have a higher risk for developing cancer. The oral cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that exhibit aggressive behavior and uncontrollable. The dental treatment before the cancer should be as objective the removal of infected farms active, as well as the identification and removal of potential risk factors for the onset of complications such as oral mucositis and Osteoradionecrosis. The dental evaluation should be made in advance to treatment. The severity of complications in patients with oral cancer can be reduced significantly when we started a strategy for maintaining oral hygiene. The treatment of teeth with prognosis uncertain, as injuries or fractures of caries, periodontal or endodontic involvement, tooth extractions and surgeries to be performed at least three weeks before the start of radiotherapy. Prevention would be the removal of the biofilm, topical application of fluoride, an indication of antiseptics, antifungal oral cavity, an indication of physical therapy for prevention of trismus for prevention and treatment of mucositis, as the use of ice and low-intensity laser. The participation of dental specialist in geriatric with knowledge and skills in the treatment of elderly patients with cancer may reduce the risk of dental complications improving the quality of life of patients. The goal of this literature review is to describe the participation of dental surgeons in caring for elderly patients to be subjected to radiation.
KEY WORDS: Oral complications, cancer of head and neck, radiotherapy.