At Lake Worth Modern Dentistry, we believe that oral health is deeply connected to overall wellness. One recent case powerfully illustrated how collaborative care between dental and medical teams can enhance a patient’s healing journey—especially during cancer treatment.
A breast cancer patient came to us for a pre-chemoradiation dental clearance. Her oncologist and I coordinated closely to ensure her oral health would not compromise her systemic condition during therapy. We agreed to perform OralDNA® testing to assess her bacterial load and extracted non-restorable teeth to reduce inflammation and ease the burden on her immune system.
This case shows how dental diagnostics and interprofessional collaboration impact whole-body health. OralDNA testing revealed pathogenic bacteria that contribute to gum disease and systemic inflammation. These objective findings allowed us to quantify her oral health status and provide her oncology team with a detailed report. By addressing infection and inflammation, we helped lower systemic risk before she resumed cancer treatment.
After completing successful same-day extractions and grafting, I stayed in close communication with both the patient and her medical team. Her response was incredibly moving. Upon reviewing her results with the oncology team, she said, “It feels like everyone’s finally working together to help me heal.”
That simple statement captured the heart of what integrative care should feel like. She wasn’t just receiving dental treatment—she was surrounded by a unified healthcare team. That sense of alignment not only brought her peace of mind, but also empowered her to take an active role in her oral health as part of her broader recovery.
This experience is a reminder of how much more effective care becomes when providers collaborate. Dentistry plays a critical role in supporting systemic health, especially for patients with complex medical conditions. By aligning with our medical colleagues and using advanced diagnostic tools, we can help patients feel supported, understood, and truly cared for.
Collaboration isn’t just good practice—it’s good medicine. Together, we can transform how patients experience healing, one connection at a time.
