Dental care for patients receiving chemotherapy

Abstract

Common oral complications of chemotherapy include mucositis, infections secondary to profound bone marrow aplasia, and gingival bleeding. Mucositis and infections were treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy; a symptomatic tooth was extracted before chemotherapy was begun. Transfusions were performed to obtain adequate platelet levels. A regimen of ticarcillin disodium and gentamicin sulfate is recommended for antibiotic prophylaxis for selected dental procedures.