Does anyone know of a dentist who has dealt with oral cancer survivors.

I had surgery for oral cancer on January 31, 2002. I had a piece of my tongue removed and my neck disected - radiation and peg followed.

In Sept - 2002 I went back to work full-time - however now the other side of my neck is bothering me. I felt a small lump in my neck - but my doctor said it was most probably not cancer - it was tender - however, I do have to see him again in Sept.

My jaw feels a little different than what it just to feel - I went to a dentist a few months ago and she did not know how to treat me - since I had cancer.

So I need a new dentist preferably one who knows how to deal with a oral cancer survivor - and is afraid of dentists.

If anyone knows of one in the Bronx - please email me at [email protected]

Thanks
Liz

Liz, I am 3,000 miles away from you, so my dentist is probably out of the question (grin). Rather than e-mailing you, I am posting here in case anyone else needs to find a post-radiation dentist. After being treated like a leper by a couple of regular dentists, I asked my radiation oncologist for a referral and he provided me with the names of three dentists who specialize in persons who have had radiation. This is such a specialized area that even when I called the State Dental Association offices, they could not give me a referral. So try your radiation oncologist.
Joanna

Hi Liz,
I would venture that Sloan Kettering can give you a referal. The medical center that I was treated at (UCSF) had a dental oncologist on staff and I had to see him first before they would start treatment.

PS: There shouldn't be any problem having minor work, fillings done or routine cleaning. It's the extractions that are tricky. I honestly don't know about root canals or more complicated procedures. The teeth in the biggest risk are the ones that were in the radiated field.