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Speaker: Dr. Adepitan A. Owosho
University of Tennessee Health Science Center – College of Dentistry

Abstract: 

Approximately 50,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer every year in the United States. Most patients are diagnosed at a later stage thereby warranting the use of radiotherapy either as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Even with advance radiation delivery techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and intensity-modulated proton therapy, oral complications such as xerostomia, caries, trismus, and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) still exist. Post-radiation patients to the oral and oropharynx cavity are prone to developing rampant dental caries that may result in dental extractions.

ORN is the most morbid oral complication of radiotherapy that may be managed with segmental jaw resection and reconstruction with bone flap/graft. The risk of osteoradionecrosis post-extraction in an irradiated oral/pharynx cavity is for life. Prevention of ORN in these patients is crucial. This lecture will focus on the use of pentoxifylline-tocopherol in preventing ORN in post-radiation patients that require dental extractions.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, and management of ORN
2. Understand the pharmacologic properties of pentoxifyline and tocopherol
3. Prophylactic use of pentoxifyline and tocopherol for preventing ORN in post-irradiated patient requiring dental extractions

Tuition: $49/1 ADA CERP credit hour

Course Prerequisites: None required 
Course Format: Virtual Lecture
Conflict of Interest: None reported by speaker
Contact: Caitlin Laughlin at caitlin_laughlin@hsdm.harvard.edu
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation 7 days before the course will be eligible for full refund. No refund will be made within 7 days of the course initiation date.