Oral Medicine Clinic

The Oral Medicine Clinic is designed to provide care to patients with unusual or diagnostically challenging oral lesions or conditions. It also serves patients with oral problems associated with systemic diseases and concerns related to head and neck cancer. Staffed by clinicians with specialty training and expertise in oral medicine, oral pathology, and oral oncology, the clinic is prepared to diagnose, and if indicated or requested, treat the following conditions:

• Benign, pre-malignant, and malignant oral lesions
• Vesiculoulcerative disorders
• Infections, ulcers or sores of unknown etiology
• Oral manifestations of systemic and autoimmune diseases
• Oral manifestations of immunodeficiency
• Xerostomia
• “Burning Mouth”
• Candidias

Management of patients with oral complications secondary to cancer therapy might include those who are undergoing orhave the following conditions:

• Radiotherapy or surgery to the head and neck area
• Chemotherapy
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Osteoradionecrosis

Patients with radiation caries may be referred to the clinic for any of the following concerns:

• Evaluations of doses and ports used for radiotherapy
• Assessment of current status of tissues and potential for healing
• Recommendations for dental therapy

Depending on the nature of the lesion, treatment may include biopsy or referral to the Shands Hospital Tumor Board where physicians and dentists recommend a consensus for therapy.

The clinic hours are 9:00 am- 5:00 pm by appointment. To schedule an evaluation, call (352) 273-6740. If you or your physician wish to fax information, use (352) 392.1461.

If specific evaluation is needed related to current or future cancer treatment, please specify when you call to schedule the appointment.

Faculty

• Dr. Joseph Katz, Assoc. Professor - email: jkatz@dental.ufl.edu
• Dr. Carol Stewart, Assoc. Professor - e-mail: cstewart@dental.ufl.edu
• Dr. Donald Cohen, Professor, Section Head, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology - e-mail: dcohen@dental.ufl.edu
• Dr. Pamela Sandow,Clinical Assoc. Professor, Oral Medicine Division and Clinic Director - email: psandow@dental.ufl.edu

Visit Dr. Sandow's special care instructions for cancer patients webpages:

• How to Use Custom Fluoride Carriers
• How to Use Brush-on Fluoride (head and neck radiation patient)
• Info for Bone Marrow Transplant Patients
• Guidelines for Dental Extractions Before Head and Neck Radiation Therapy
• Radiation Caries and Dry Mouth
• Oral Care During Head And Neck Radiotherapy
• Cytologic Smear

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