Assessment and Care of Oral Lesions for Patients Who Undergo Radioiodine Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

Patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who undergo radioiodine treatment often present oral complications with a significant impact on their oral cavity function. Any potential sources of systemic infections like periodontal disease, unfitted dentures, orthodontic appliances, deficient/rough fillings, or traumatic dentition must be treated by the dental practitioner, because they represent the main source of spread and dissemination. Any systemic complication of a dental foci may result from improper dental preparation of the patient before radioiodine therapy and inadequate post-radioiodine therapy oral care. Therefore, all patients proceeding into radioiodine treatment should be addressed by the oncological team to undergo thorough dental check-up and receive appropriate treatment in due time.

Keywords: Iodine-131; Oral health; Radioiodine; Thyroid cancer.