Lottie, I will go over my experiences with a similar situation and hopefully this will be helpful.

First.... try to relax!!!! This is a walk in the park compared to what Bob has already been thru. In case I missed it before, congrats on the 5 year anniversary! HBO is time consuming but it is worth spending the time to avoid bigger issues down the road.

My oral surgeon is experienced with treating oral cancer patients. He is up to date with the current trends and wouldnt touch me without my completion of the HBO dives. He is not affiliated with a CCC. My teeth were loose and crooked after finishing rads so I planned on having them out so I could get dentures. Instead I wound up with my third round of OC (the teeth would have had to go anyway with that diagnosis) which had invaded my jawbone. I did the 20 HBO prior to the teeth being removed and 10 afterwards. I think this was early 2009 I had my teeth removed. This year my oral surgeon had to snip off a couple rough pieces of bone from my good side so I did the 20/10 HBO again.

If I were in your situation, I would make certain that whatever oral surgeon you decide upon that they are familiar with OC patients. I dont know if there are extra levels of education like there are with ENTs. I dont know if CCCs have an "in-house" oral surgeon as thats usually dental not medical.

Sorry that I was not of more assistance! Wishing you all the very best with this!


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile