Dental hygiene is not part of the care patients are given. My dad is receiving treatment at one of the most acclaimed cancer centers in the world. In his hygiene package, he was given a tube of toothpaste, a mini hard-bristled toothbrush, and a Biotene mouth rinse. Due to the severity of my Dad’s operation, family members are by his side to …
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Choosing No Treatment for Oral Cancer
Dear Eva, I write on behalf of a loved one who has been in battle with her squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue since August of 2013. My aunt, who never smoked, drank, spent copious amounts of time in the sun or the latter, has fought unrelentingly against this cancer, and now has reached a crossroads. After being given …
Oral & Maxillofacial Resident asks, ‘How do I prevent being brushed-off from patient because I’m just a ‘resident’?
Twelve UCSF oral & maxillofacial residents entered the conference room at 7AM for my lecture. They were polite but I got the feeling they wondered why they had to hear from a patient when that happens every day on rounds. However, five minutes into my talk I noticed their stiff body language soften. At the end, their questions demonstrated they …