Oral medicine doctor talks dental work before cancer treatment

While dentistry is an ancient practice, oral medicine was only recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 2020. ​Dr. Shaiba Sandhu is a dentist specializing in oral medicine, and a huge advocate for informing students and the general public about the specialty. Watch WXII’s Jackie Pascale’s full interview with oral medicine specialist Dr. Shaiba Sandhu in the video player above to hear about the life-saving treatment many cancer patients need before they start chemotherapy or radiation.Sandhu is a clinical assistant professor at High Point University’s recently launched Workman School of Dental Medicine. Through a partnership between HPU and Novant Health, she is providing critical oral and dental health care to individuals receiving treatment for head and neck cancer at the Novant Health Cancer Institute – Forsyth. She tells people she’s “like a dermatologist for your mouth” who will catch details a general dentist might not.”Both can perform dental extractions and complete dental clearances,” Sandhu said, “But oral surgeons are not trained to diagnose and manage lesions of the mouth to the extent we are.”Also, unlike general dentists, she can bill patients’ medical insurance for dental treatment because it is medically necessary, especially for those needing cancer treatment. Patients with multiple myeloma and metastatic solid cancer also get a referral to Sandhu.”We ensure that all sources of dental infection are addressed before starting radiation,” Sandhu said. “If they have an infected tooth, that infection can spread into the body and can lead to septicemia, which can be life-threatening.” Oral medicine specialists also work to manage both short and long-term side effects in the mouth, including sores, dry mouth, nerve pain and jaw osteonecrosis. After completing a three-year, hospital-based oral medicine residency at Harvard Dental School, Sandhu is also one of only two certified oral medicine doctors in North Carolina. Find more information about Sandhu through Novant or High Point University Health. You can also learn more about HPU’s dentistry program and her role in it here.

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