Topical fluorides for head and neck cancer patients subjected to surgical resection and radiation therapy in resource restraint settings

Patients undergoing surgical resection and ionizing radiations for the treatment of head and cancer may lead a challenging life even after the cure of the disease; because these procedures can adversely affect the oral mucosa, salivary gland, bone, masticatory musculature, and the dentition. Especially, if major salivary glands are exposed to high dose radiation, an irreversible xerostomia may occur that can lead to rampant dental caries. Treatment of these complications demands high cost and time; and is often unaffordable for the patients in the resource constraint setting rendering them to compromise on their quality of life. The healthcare providers should work together in a team to prevent or manage these complications and improve the lives of the patients. This review paper focuses on the significance of low cost fluoride treatment for salvaging the dentition among patients who have had developed head and neck carcinoma and later got subjected to surgical resection and radiation therapy.