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Does the dentist have a need to know?

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Posted 2/21/2017 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Holy cow - another thread from the dead smile
Posted 2/21/2017 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
If I can't trust my dentist, or any other doctor, with my health information, then I need to find one I can trust.
Posted 2/21/2017 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I had a routine cleaning shortly before my prostate was removed. I mentioned my diagnosis to my dentist. Turned out his father had prostate cancer, so he could empathize with me. His father was doing fine, and that was nice to hear.

I can't see how telling your dentist is a bad thing. Not sure it is essential, so go with what makes you comfortable.
Posted 2/21/2017 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
In my neck of the woods, the dental hygienist does a lot more than 'clean my teeth':
Keeps the record of my medications up-to-date
Checks the lymph nodes around my neck for cancer
Takes the X-ray radiographs (bitewings) and takes into account that my prostate has been heavily irradiated.

Yes, (s)he is fully certified to do those things and has a Bachelor's degree in the specialty.

No doubt that (s)he is part of my 'health team'.

PS: Your dentist REALLY needs to know if you are getting Xgeva, Prolia or similar 'bone building' drugs.

healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3796600

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 2/21/2017 7:13:51 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2017 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
I'm also a dentist and a guy who was dx with PCa and had a RALP three years ago. I agree with the previous posts that you do need to reveal your medical history to your dentist just as you would any other medical provider. You probably do not need to reveal the extent of all your symptoms ( your dentist willl probably not get into that) but you certainly need to communicate your diagnosis, procedures, and medications, as these can all impact your dental treatment.

Furthermore, I have personally seen on x-ray a lytic lesion in the mandible that was subsequently diagnosed as a metastatic prostate lesion.
Posted 2/23/2017 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
"checks the lymph nodes around my neck for cancer"...I get the rest...but that sounds like a C story told around the poop deck....SrSailor Jr...I only attach the Jr cause Ray Chavez is the SR Sailor in the USN...I know you will give him that...you member him ...right?


Internet forums medical advice is to medical advice as military music is to music....Thas right...I'm on a mission.... "in your heart...you know Im right" break the Borg metality...it is futile-ity
Posted 2/23/2017 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

Bololidat said...
"checks the lymph nodes around my neck for cancer"...


Internet forums medical advice is to medical advice as military music is to music....Thas right...I'm on a mission.... "in your heart...you know Im right" break the Borg metality...it is futile-ity

OK; I was a bit sloppy. The dental hygienist checks to see if the lymph nodes are swollen. If so, I would be referred to an MD specialist who would evaluate the underlying issue.
Posted 2/23/2017 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
thats whats so nice about aging...we don't give a rats --- about what we say...if checked...we go on head high...Oh and thanks SrSailor....Ray told me he no mind...we all mates in the same boat...er, ah, ship...

Post Edited (Bololidat) : 2/23/2017 9:12:22 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/24/2017 8:39 AM (GMT 0)
Bolo,
I had to Google Borg metality just to decide if I think you're right, and I got results for Borg mentality. Which is probably what you meant to say, but I'm still not sure if I think it is a futile mentality, because I'm still trying to decipher you analogy about military music vs music and internet advice vs medical advice.
I trust TA over Gary's MO when it comes to PCa advice, but I know full.well he's not a Dr. and
Posted 2/24/2017 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
Bolo,
I had to Google Borg metality just to decide if I think you're right, and I got results for Borg mentality. Which is probably what you meant to say, but I'm still not sure if I think it is a futile mentality, because I'm still trying to decipher your analogy about military music vs music and internet advice vs medical advice.
I trust TA over Gary's MO when it comes to PCa advice, but I know full well he's not a Dr. and there is very little that anyone could do without getting the MO to agree with it. The exception being pomegranate and apricot pits, I guess.
I could offer up tapioca pudding and prayer as a treatment when there are no other treatments, but I would be given the authenticity I deserve with nothing medical to back it up.
Oops...there was a topic here from a dead thread....YES!!! Tell your dentist! He might notice necrosis of jaw when the MO is asleep at the wheel and forgets to discontinue xgeva following a tooth extraction.
Posted 2/24/2017 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
I come here because I think we can lear
From each other,this is at least 10 years old
should you tell your dentist any changes
in your health of course don't have to take it to the
level Pete was asking but do we think
our dentist is asking just to be nosy
you answer that and then do what you
Think is best for yourself
Posted 2/27/2017 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I may be on the wrong side of the popular vote here, but I didn't tell my dentist that I was diagnosed/treated for PCa. And I don't plan to.

I simply value my privacy more than I value the possibility of my dentist identifying a previously undetected remnant of my PCA (which would be remarkable given my clean margins and consistently undetectable ultra-sensitive PSA tests).

For the record, when I go for my periodic follow-ups with my PCa surgeon, I don't tell him about my latest dental cleanings either ;)

Seems that I'm in the minority here. And I might even be wrong. But I'm ok with that.

Gedman
Posted 2/28/2017 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
If you ever get to the point where you are taking ADT and Xgeva you will want your dentist to know about your PCa treatment. These medicines may cause necrosis of the jaw. This is especially true in the case of dental surgery.

Rick
Posted 3/1/2017 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Rick

Thanks for posting. Patients who withhold medical information from healthcare providers do so at their own peril. Many meds and head and neck radiation directly affect the mouth. In my career I have seen, on several occasions, patients get into trouble because they did not see the need to inform me of the treatment they were receiving form other providers.

On manyl occasions I have spoken with patients who also happen to be fellow PCa survivors as well as patients who have had other cancers. I can tell you I have no desire to get into personal details beyond what is clinically necessary. On the other hand, many of these same patients often are surprised by the ramifications of their cancer treatment on their oral health.
Posted 3/1/2017 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Celibrate ok here goes Borg mentality...you might know fm your google is fmPatrick Stewart Star Trek...metality is a word play since the borg are mostly metal...futile is re the borgs mantra..." resistance is futile"...hence more word play
Working for the FAA as long as I did we had many newbies who were military controllers prior to FAA hire...moi was one myself at all ne time...these new military hires were not that good...hires off the street were easier to train simply because...they knew the were ignant...the phrase. Military ATC is to ATC as Military music is to music....i.e. It was ATC ... but really???...I know...too clever by half... which leads me to quantum physics... ahh....never mind
Next...re.mo...yourself...and TA...not sure if I am disturbed for mo...you...or TA...tee hee...just kidding...BTW...i fat fingered this post on my dumb phone...my next trick will be to dumb phone a post...let the phone fill in my stakes...then explain that post in a coherent way....or maybe just play the Beatles White album backwards...no...I am on a perfectly natural float...alas...in a very small parade...this fine etching...pain staking...as it be...is dedicated to the two of you...your gain...mais oui??
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