Drs. Debbie Saunders and Joel Epstein return to continue their series of presentations on oral cancer. Today they speak about one oral cancer complication: Dysgeusia.  Highlights Dysgeusia is another common oral complication which presents during cancer treatment. Dysgeusia is defined as an abnormal or impaired sense of taste, an unpleasant alteration of taste sensation or a distortion or perversion of the sense of taste. Taste is complex, with 5 tastes noted: sour, salt, sweet, bitter and umami.  In addition “spicy” taste is mediated by c-fibers and fat may be appreciated by specific receptors and by texture.  Taste along with texture, ...

Drs. Deborah Saunders and Joel Epstein return to Oasis Discussions to discuss a third complication that occurs during cancer therapy and beyond, xerostomia. Xerostomia affects speech, chewing, swallowing, taste and overall nutrition which may negatively affect overall treatment and patient outcomes during therapy. Xerostomia is not related to aging as much as it reflects the use of medications that result in dry mouth. See also: Oral Care in Cancer Therapy Part 1: Oral Care Pre-Head & Neck Cancer TreatmentOral Care in Cancer Therapy Part 2: Oral Care During Cancer Therapy Functions of Saliva Antimicrobial activity Control of pH Removal of ...

Drs. Deborah Saunders and Joel Epstein return to Oasis Discussions to discuss oral care before, during and after head and neck cancer treatment. See also: Oral Care in Cancer Therapy Part 2: Oral Care During Cancer TherapyOral Care in Cancer Therapy Part 3: Oral Care After Head & Neck Cancer Treatment Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the world and it is expected to continue to grow. Infection-related cancers such as HPV, EBV and HCV are expected to play an important role in this increase. It is forecasted that a dentist will see ~1.3 newly diagnosed case of ...

Dr. John O’Keefe spoke with Dr. Angela Wong and Dr. Ruth Aponte Wesson, maxillofacial prosthodontists, about maxillary defects. Dr. Angela Wong, DMD, MS, FRCD(C) is a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist currently in private practice in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Ruth Aponte Wesson, DDS, MS, FACP is a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist and Associate Professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Highlights Etiology Maxillary defects can present at birth as with cleft lip and palate or they can be acquired during life. Most acquired maxillary defects are caused by cancer, other causes include infection, trauma or other diseases. Oral cancer makes up about 3% ...

Drs. Debbie Saunders and Joel Epstein dispel the myth about the safety of flossing for patients undergoing cancer therapy. Dr. Debbie Saunders is a Dentist and Medical Director of the Dental Oncology Program, Health Science North, in the North East Cancer Center. She is also Assistant Professor in the Norther Ontario School of Medicine.  Dr. Joel Epstein is Professor and Medical Director Cancer dentistry at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles and the Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in City of Hope.  Highlights Flossing is fundamental in reducing inflammation in the gingival tissues. It ...

Drs. Debbie Saunders and Joel Epstein dispel the myth about providing periodontal care for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.  Dr. Debbie Saunders is a Dentist and Medical Director of the Dental Oncology Program, Health Science North, in the North East Cancer Center. She is also Assistant Professor in the Norther Ontario School of Medicine.  Dr. Joel Epstein is Professor and Medical Director Cancer dentistry at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles and the Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in City of Hope.  Highlights There is often confusion about whether patients that are undergoing ...

With this case presentation, Dr. David Yang, Oral Surgeon, speaks about managing cancer in private practice. This is phase 1 of the presentation where Dr. Yang presents the case and asks for your opinion on how to best manage this patient and how you would react in such a situation. Dr. David Yang is a speaker at the upcoming Pacific Dental conference. Click here for more information about the session he is presenting on March 17, 2016.    We welcome your feedback about this case. You have the option to remain anonymous in leaving your feedback. Please note that all your comments are ...

Dr. Linda Lee presents how the case of a 73-year old female patient who is undergoing chemotherapy was resolved. Dr. Linda Lee DDS, MSc. Dipl. ABOP, FRCD(C), Oral Pathology/Medicine     She is Associate Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto Staff Dentist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network. Dr. Lee received her DDS degree in 1977 from the University of Toronto and her Certificate in Oral Pathology, Indiana University School of Dentistry Master of Science, Indiana University. Click here to view the case presentation    Watch the case resolution