New patient baseline assessment
• Nurses to screen for oral mucositis and associated oral complications. Once detected,
assess at each patient visit
• Provide verbal and written information on maintaining oral hygiene at onset of treatment
• Maintaining oral health throughout the treatment phase is necessary to:
- maintain adequate hydration and nutrition
- reduce the incidence, severity and duration of oral mucositis - prevent or minimize the effects of oral complications
• A dental exam and any interventions should be performed by a dentist (or oral oncology specialist) as early as possible before starting radiation or chemotherapy.