The oral management of oncology patients requiring radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation

Patients undergoing cancer therapy may experience unwanted side-effects involving the oral cavity and more evidence is emerging regarding the management of these complications. These oral effects have both short and long-term implications. Dentists need to be aware of these implications and liaise closely with the oncology teams to establish pathways of oral care. This enables patients to have appropriate dental support in place before, during and after cancer therapy. This article is an executive summary of a review undertaken for a national clinical guideline, The Oral Management of Oncology Patients following Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and/or Bone Marrow Transplanation. The full text is available on the FDS website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds/publications-clinical-guidelines/clinical_guidelines/