Dental Professionals’ Role in Oral Cancer Rehabilitation: Tools, Checklists & Best Practices

Introduction 

Oral cancer treatment often involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, procedures that can significantly impact oral health, function, and aesthetics. Rehabilitation is not just about survival; it’s about restoring function, confidence, and quality of life. Dental professionals are key players in this process. 

Why Oral Cancer Rehabilitation Matters 

Cancer therapies frequently cause oral complications such as^1,9: 

• Mucositis 

• Xerostomia 

• Trismus 

• Osteoradionecrosis 

• Opportunistic infections 

These complications can delay cancer treatment and reduce a patient's quality of life. Integrating dental care into oncology ensures better treatment outcomes and patient comfort. 

Phases of Dental Involvement 

1. Pre-Treatment Phase 

Goals: Prevent complications and prepare the oral cavity for cancer therapy. 
Checklist²: 

• Comprehensive oral evaluation (ideally 4 weeks before therapy) [ ] 

• Eliminate infection sources (extract non-restorable teeth) [ ] 

• Apply fluoride gel and provide oral hygiene instructions [ ] 

• Educate patients on mucositis and xerostomia management [ ] 

2. During Treatment 

Focus: Manage oral complications and maintain nutrition. 
Key Actions: 

• Use bland rinses and topical anesthetics for mucositis³ 

• Recommend saliva substitutes for xerostomia⁴ 

• Encourage jaw exercises to prevent trismus⁵ 

• Collaborate with dietitians and speech therapists⁶ 

3. Post-Treatment Rehabilitation 

Objectives: Restore function and aesthetics. 
Approaches: 

• Fabricate obturators and mandibular resection prostheses 

• Consider implant-supported restorations after healing 

• Prescribe lifelong fluoride use for xerostomic patients 

• Schedule regular follow-ups for recurrence and osteoradionecrosis risk⁷ 

Takeaway  

Treat every oral cancer patient as a long-term partner. Early, proactive, and collaborative dental care can dramatically enhance oral function, confidence, and quality of life for survivors. 

References 

1. Kouri M, Vadalouca A, Kouloulias V, Papadopoulou E, Vardas E, Kyrodimos E, Trichas M, Galitis E, Zygogianni A, Liakouli Z, Nicolatou-Galitis O. Oral complications of head and neck cancer therapy. InForum Clin Oncol 2021 Aug 1 (Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 52-66). 

2. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Oncology Pocket Guide to Oral Health: Prevention and management of oral complications. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health; 2020. Available from: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/oncology-guide-oral-health.pdf 

3. Bell A, Kasi A. Oral mucositis. InStatPearls [Internet] 2023 May 29. StatPearls Publishing. 

4. Hosseini MS, Sanaie S, Mahmoodpoor A, Jabbari Beyrami S, Jabbari Beyrami H, Fattahi S, Jahanshahlou F, Zarei M, Rahimi Mamaghani A, Kuchaki Rafsanjani M. Cancer treatment-related xerostomia: basics, therapeutics, and future perspectives. European journal of medical research. 2024 Nov 30;29(1):571. 

5. Mandal S, Mandal S, Malik D, Thakur K, Chahal A. Exercise therapy to treat trismus in a patient with head neck cancer: A case report. Journal of Society of Indian Physiotherapists. 2024 Jan 1;8(1):38-41. 

6. Mohammed RA, Ahmed SK. Nutritional support for oral cancer patients: what every nurses should know?. Oral Oncology Reports. 2024 Jun 1;10:100413. 

7. American Dental Association. Cancer therapies and dental considerations. American Dental Association. 2025. Available from: https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/cancer-therapies-and-dental-considerations 
8. Zadik Y, Raber-Durlacher JE, Epstein JB, Majorana A, Miranda-Silva W, Yang S, Blijlevens N, Elad S. MASCC/ISOO Clinical Practice Statement: dental evaluation and management prior to treatment for hematologic malignancies and CAR T-cell therapy. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2025 Oct;33(10):1-8.