Quintessence international
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Radiotherapy may be either an effective alternative to surgery or a valuable adjunct to surgery and/or chemotherapy in the locoregional treatment of malignant head and neck tumors. The care of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy or who have completed treatment is a multidisciplinary effort. ⋯ To provide timely and competent care, oral health care providers must understand the disease, its treatment, and the impact the disease and/or its treatment may have on these patients. Oral health care providers should develop and implement preventive and therapeutic strategies with the same ethical, moral, and professional standards of care as may be appropriate in the management of any other patient.