CDA Essentials 2017 • Volume 4 • Issue 2

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36 | 2017 | Issue 2
Supporting Your P ractice
What are the best practices for
oral health care during cancer
treatment?
DS: Cancer Care Ontario has developed
a tool box for health care professionals on
proper techniques for oral care. In a basic
oral care program, flossing is recommended
once a day. If there is bleeding after the
patient starts flossing and it continues for two
minutes, it could indicate that the patient is
suffering from thrombocytopenia or other
bleeding disorders. In this situation, the
patient should inform the dental oncology
clinic in their region—which are few and far
between in Canada—or their oncologist.
Are other forms of interdental
cleaning, such as a rubber tip
stimulator or a Proxabrush®,
contraindicated during cancer
treatment?
DS: Some well-designed studies in Europe
compared the benefits of flossing to other
approaches for interdental cleaning and
showed no difference. I think the dentist
is best at guiding their patient on what
approach to take for interdental cleaning.
JE: I agree. The most important thing is that
the patient use some form of interdental
cleaning with a method that is atraumatic.
That means patients should continue using
the tool that is most familiar to them. In North
America, that’s typically dental floss.
What should a patient do if the
medical team contradicts the
advice of the dental team on the
issue of flossing?
JE: Patients do hear conflicting opinions from
the medical team and could be told to stop
flossing because of a concern about bleeding.
But dentists know that gingivitis and bleeding
is a result of inadequate brushing and flossing
leading to gingivitis.
DS: Patients might like to know that the
International Society of Oral Oncology and the
U.S. National Cancer Institute endorse flossing
while patients are on active treatment. The
International Society of Oral Oncology has
a patient fact sheet on how to care for your
mouth during cancer treatments, and these
are available on their website. Cancer Care
Ontario has a
as well. a
To watch the full
discussion, visit:
This interviewhasbeeneditedandcondensed.
Theviewsexpressedarethoseoftheauthors
anddonotnecessarilyreflecttheopinions
orofficialpoliciesoftheCanadianDental
Association.
Cancer Care Ontario Symptom Tool Box for Healthcare Professionals
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Resources for download include a symptom management guide and oral care plans.
Cancer Care Ontario Patient Guide for Mouth Problems
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International Society of Oral Oncology Patient Fact Sheet
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Your Oral fall/winter 2016-17
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A special issue of this ODA patient magazine, dedicated entirely to flossing
Resources for Dentists and Patients