IMPACTS OF ORAL HEALTH ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND CANCER TREATMENT: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This integrative review analyzes the recent scientific literature on the impacts of oral health on cancer treatment outcomes and quality of life in oncology patients, emphasizing the essential role of Dentistry in preventing and managing oral complications before, during, and after antineoplastic therapy. Articles published between 2019 and 2024 were reviewed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, and observational studies. Findings show that patients with poor oral conditions have a significantly higher risk of severe oral mucositis, opportunistic infections, osteoradionecrosis, xerostomia, dysphagia, tooth loss, and nutritional impairment, factors that may interrupt cancer treatment, reduce therapeutic response, and negatively affect survival. The literature demonstrates that integrated dental care — including pre-treatment evaluation, preventive interventions, microbiota control, management of therapy-related side effects, and functional rehabilitation — directly reduces oral complications, improves treatment adherence, preserves mastication and speech, and enhances quality of life. This review highlights the importance of incorporating dental surgeons into multidisciplinary oncology teams and implementing standardized stomatology protocols.