Cancer: dental considerations

Dentists have an important role in the initial recognition and diagnosis of oral cancer. If a patient who has had head and neck cancer treatment has a suspicious oral lesion, refer for investigation to exclude cancer recurrence or a new primary cancer. Metastatic cancers to the oral soft tissues and jawbones commonly originate from primary malignancies in the breast, prostate, kidneys and lungs. Leukaemias and lymphomas may also present in the oral cavity. For further information on assessing an oral mucosal lesion, see here.

For more information on the dental management of patients with head and neck cancer and the oropharyngeal adverse effects of cancer treatments, see the eviQ website.