IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL CARE FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEAD AND NECK RADIOTHERAPY: Narrative/integrative literature review

Head and neck cancer includes malignant tumors in areas such as the mouth and larynx, with smoking and alcohol as the main risk factors. This research seeks to contribute to the development of dental protocols that minimize these effects and promote oral rehabilitation. For this, SCIELO, PUBMED, the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Silva , Vanessa Rodrigues Ribeiro, Silva , Vinicios Rodrigues Ribeiro, Guedes, Cizelene do Carmo Faleiros Veloso
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:Brasil
Institución:Publicação independente
Repositorio:Scientia Generalis
Idioma:portugués
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs2.scientiageneralis.com.br:article/595
Acceso en línea:https://scientiageneralis.com.br/index.php/SG/article/view/595
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Neoplasias de cabeza y cuello
Osteorradionecrosis
Estomatitis
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço
Osteorradionecrose
Estomatite
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Osteoradionecrosis
Stomatitis
Descripción
Sumario:Head and neck cancer includes malignant tumors in areas such as the mouth and larynx, with smoking and alcohol as the main risk factors. This research seeks to contribute to the development of dental protocols that minimize these effects and promote oral rehabilitation. For this, SCIELO, PUBMED, the Virtual Health Library and Google Scholar were used as databases, where several scientific articles on the topic were found, published between 1983 and 2024 in English and Portuguese. Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, although effective, causes complications such as xerostomia, mucositis, cavities, trismus and osteoradionecrosis, which negativel affect patients' quality of life. These complications result from the high sensitivity of oral tissues and salivary glands to radiation, impacting functions such as chewing, swallowing and speech. Multidisciplinary dental monitoring is essential to prevent and treat these effects, with emphasis on interventions such as laser therapy and dental care prior to radiotherapy. Individualizing treatment is essential to improve the prognosis and general well-being of patients. We conclude that dental monitoring before, during and after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer is essential to prevent and minimize complications such as mucositis, xerostomia and osteoradionecrosis. The multidisciplinary and personalized approach is fundamental to improving patients' quality of life, highlighting the importance of the dentist in cancer treatment.