PALLIATIVE CARE AND DENTISTRY: NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> To describe the importance and profile of patients in relation to the implementation of palliative care in dentistry based on the available scientific literature. <h3>Study Design</h3> A search was carried out in the Scielo and PubMed databases with the descriptors: << Palliative Care >> or << Dental Care >> and <>, from 2015 to 2021, in English. An evaluator looked for publications related to the topic and selected the articles, regardless of the methodology used, after analyzing the abstracts. <h3>Results</h3> The search resulted in 41 manuscripts, of which 16 articles were included in the review. The articles revealed that most patients in palliative care are cancer patients and that the most common oral manifestations in these individuals are xerostomia, pseudomembranous candidiasis, and oral mucositis. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The oral cavity is related to nutrition and functions of chewing, swallowing, and phonation, which when compromised lead to decreased quality of life. Also, diseases can affect oral tissues because of the disease itself or the effects of its treatment. The dental approach in palliative care, which includes educational actions with caregivers and family members, intends to alleviate oral complications and maintain oral health.