Treating the Oral Cancer Patient

Course Description

Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology

In the United States there are about 50,000 new cases of cancer in the oral cavity and oropharyngeal region each year. Approximately 10,000 of these cases result in death. Treatment methods generally consist of radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. The effects of these treatments can be devastating not only during treatment but may also present the patient with severe longterm complications. Not just physically, but also mentally.

In this informative and emotional course you will learn from a 16 year cancer survivor (and dentist) the steps he used to achieve “his” best outcome as well as the best outcome for multiple cancer patients he has treated. Dr. Blackburn will navigate you through the process from the exam, diagnosis, pre-treatment, active-treatment and post-treatment phases. Long term successes and failures will also be discussed.

At the end of this course you will feel confident on how to give these patients the best dental and psychological outcome.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:

1. Learn how to increase short-term and long-term success for oral cancer patients
2. Learn a step-by-step approach for pre-treatment, active and post-treatment care
3. Instill confidence in treating oral cancer patients