Palliative oral care: A life prolonging therapy

Abstract

Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach that improves the quality of life in terminally ill patients and their families. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is one of the most common cancers seen in developing countries including India, constituting up to 25% of the overall cancer burden. There is an ever growing number of cancer patients around the globe and so is the mortality rate associated with it. These patients are not only compromised on general health but also on oral health, alleviation of pain, reducing the suffering, providing relief, treatment of any other complications which occur during the treatment or post treatment of the cancer patients are taken care in palliative care. The role of an oral physician is formidable in carrying out the duties and serving a 'Healing hand' in Palliative oral care.