New study suggests seeing a dentist before cancer surgery reduces the risk of complications

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A new study suggests that seeing a dentist before cancer surgery could help to lower the risk of complications.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo, Japan, found that patients who had seen a dentist in the run-up to surgery were less likely to develop complications, including pneumonia, following the procedure. The team discovered that patients who visited their dentist up to 30 days before the operation had a reduced risk of post-surgery pneumonia.

Miho Ishimaru, lead researcher, explained that oral care can be a preventative measure for post-operative pneumonia, as pneumonia can develop as a result of aspiration of secretions from the mouth and throat.

The findings of the study, which have been published in the British Journal of Surgery, suggest that patients who are due to undergo surgery could benefit from having a dental check first. Dental care is linked to a lower risk of pneumonia in patients on ventilators and it can also help to prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria and germs.

During the study, the team analysed data related to patients who had surgery for several forms of cancer between 2012 and 2015. Types of cancer included head and neck, lung, liver, colon, stomach and oesophageal cancer. Of the 509,000 patients who underwent surgery, around 81,500 saw a dentist prior to the procedure. In total, 15,700 patients went on to develop pneumonia after surgery, and approximately 1,700 patients died within 30 days. It was found that rates of post-operative pneumonia were 0.5% lower in those who had seen a dentist.

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