Publication Details
Abstract
Oral cancer remains one of the most significant problems in modern onco-dentistry, as late diagnosis, aggressive combined treatment, and a high incidence of dental complications lead to impaired mastication, speech, swallowing, appearance, and quality of life in patients. This review article aims to briefly summarize key data from the current literature and substantiate the need for continuous dental support of oral cancer patients at all stages — from the identification of oral potentially malignant disorders to the prevention of complications and rehabilitation. Current sources on epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, artificial intelligence, dental preparation, oral mucositis, xerostomia, osteoradionecrosis, reconstruction, and prosthetics were analyzed. It is shown that dental care should not be limited to a one-time sanitation before radiation therapy: it should include risk assessment, elimination of chronic trauma and inflammation, preparation for surgery and irradiation, control of mucositis and infections, prevention of radiation caries and osteoradionecrosis, as well as restoration of function after treatment. An integrated model of continuous dental support is proposed, in which the dentist and maxillofacial surgeon are permanent participants in the oncological care pathway.