The course will create a network of dental clinics that are friendly to oncology patients

The National Cancer Institute (NVI), the Chamber of Dentists and the Oncology Patient Assistance Association (POLA) have teamed up for oral health care: to create a network of dental clinics that are friendly to oncology patients.

Diagnoses as the disease progresses

Oncological diseases are the second most frequent cause of death not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe. In Lithuania, 18 thousand people are diagnosed every year. new cancer cases, including more than 300 oral cancers. Most of these cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Despite this, the National Oral Disease Prevention and Oral Cancer Prevention Programs are hidden in the depths of policymakers’ drawers, and timely access to the dentist for cancer patients is the exception rather than the rule. As a result, NVI, the Chamber of Dentists and POLA decided to join forces and cooperate in the oral health care of oncology patients.

One of the main goals of the cooperation is to create a network of dental care facilities that are friendly to oncology patients.

“A healthy mouth is important for everyone, but it is even more important for cancer patients. Oral diseases can greatly worsen the course of oncological disease, and during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, in many cases, no invasive dental procedures are possible. Hence, the patient’s teeth must be healed before cancer treatment begins. Unfortunately, knowledge about this is lacking not only for patients, but also for doctors, says the chairwoman of the Council of the Chamber of Dentists, prof. Dr. Vilma Brukiene. – Therefore, together with our partners, we have a specific goal – to unite specialists and dental institutions and create a network of dental institutions that are friendly to oncology patients. In these institutions, patients would receive quality dental treatment in a timely manner, performed by appropriately trained doctors. This would be a major breakthrough in the oral health care of oncology patients.”

Oral diseases can greatly worsen the course of oncological disease, and during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, in many cases, no invasive dental procedures are possible.

Will establish a competence center

Organizations will pay great attention to the training of specialists. For this purpose, a competence center will be established, where the professional development of dentists will be carried out. Also, NVI will provide methodological support and, if necessary, expert consultations, organize the so-called green corridor for the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer for patients.

“Cancer treatment methods are constantly changing, the list of complications, specific problems and their solutions related to oral health is constantly changing. Currently, unfortunately, there is a lack of coordination between medical specialists treating oncological diseases and dentists and maxillofacial surgeons. There is no clearly defined way to solve oral problems, specialists lack ways to share knowledge, opportunities for internships, says the head of NVI, Assoc. Dr. Valdas Pečeliūnas. – Our goal is to ensure solutions to these challenges through the cooperation of NVI, the Chamber of Dentists and POLA, an organization uniting oncology patients. NVI undertakes to ensure the preparation of methodological information, as well as constructive participation in optimizing the patient’s path. We hope for smooth cooperation and significant positive changes in the provision of dental care to oncology patients.”

There is a lack of a systematic approach

An extremely important aspect is the early diagnosis of oral cancer. Dentist Auristida Gerliakienė, doctor of the Department of Head, Neck and Skin Tumors of NVI emphasizes that late diagnosis of oncological disease becomes a big problem, when in most cases the disease is detected at an advanced stage.

“The oral health care of oncology patients often requires a systematic approach. Early diagnosis of oral cancer is still carried out sporadically and on a more personal initiative of dentists or family doctors. This is why we have so many cases of late-stage oral cancer or complications related to oncology treatment. Convincing health officials that it is important and necessary to devote attention and resources to these issues has been going on for eight years and still without success. However, it happens that favorable circumstances arise, like-minded people meet, who are united by the common goal of improving the oral health of oncology patients, expanding the early diagnosis of oral cancer, and publicizing information about oral prevention measures and methods. NVI, POLA and the Chamber of Dentists are united for a common goal”, according to A. Gerliakienė, this inspires and gives hope that from now on, oncology patients will have a place to turn to and they will be provided with qualified assistance in a timely manner.

During the long-term cooperation, it will be aimed to reduce the isolation of oncology patients due to lower mobility in the regions of Lithuania, insufficient education and income, and it will also aim to eliminate the stigmatization of these patients, to improve the quality of life of patients after oncology treatment.

Programs are not running

The organizations also draw attention to the fact that, over the past few years, national oral health and oral cancer prevention programs have been shoved in politicians’ drawers and are not being implemented, therefore NVI, the Chamber of Dentists and POLA plan to actively work to educate patients about oral health, oral cancer and prevention, which could prevent the disease at an early stage.

“Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the smooth path of the patient through the oncological disease. However, with the emphasis on diagnosing the disease as soon as possible and starting treatment as quickly as possible, such an important aspect as oral health has not been given due attention recently, and the previously widely known truth that inflammation in the mouth is an increased risk and must be eliminated before surgery or another complex procedure has become forgotten. “, says POLA head Neringa Čiakienė. – Another aspect is that dental services are not available to every patient: although the service is needed quickly, because the aim is to start the treatment of oncological diseases as soon as possible, you have to face waiting lines, not everyone can afford to pay for dental services, some specialists due to specific knowledge, skills, experience shortages, avoiding possible risks, do not accept oncology patients seeking help.”

N. Čiakienė hopes that the united efforts of three organizations that care will respond to the aforementioned challenges and the patient’s path through oncological disease will become smoother.