Abstract

ROLE OF ORAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST IN PALLIATIVE CARE

Chandhini Begum N.*, Rachana V. Prabhu, Laxmikanth Chatra, Prashanth Shenai, K. M. Veena and Vagish Kumar

ABSTRACT

The palliative doctor gives the „touch of God‟ as he/she takes care of the terminally ill patient. Palliative care for the terminally ill is based on a multidimensional approach to provide whole-person comfort care while maintaining optimal function. The oncologist encounters great difficulties in managing oral cavity problems of these patients. It is ideal that palliative care team should include specialists from various fields to provide comprehensive overall care to the patient. The dental or oral medicine specialist can play an important role in alleviating both the physical and psychological pain of dying and in treating the effects caused due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this article, a brief attempt is made to list a few areas in which an oral medicine specialist can help other members of the palliative care team and also the patient in leading a better life.

Keywords: palliative, morphine, mucositis, xerostomia, candidiasis.