Dental Implantology for Cancer Patients

by Jill Meyer-Lippert August 19, 2025

Participants will receive 1 PACE AGD CE credit

Description

Course Description

Can dental implants be performed safely in cancer patients and survivors? Dentistry for head & neck cancer patients (pre- or post-radiation therapy) involves close collaboration between dentists and oncologists. Oral complication risks (e.g., osteonecrosis, mucositis, implant failure) warrant certain considerations for both surgical and prosthetic implant therapy.

This lecture is a primer on strategies for dentists to communicate with oncologists to deliver timely and safe implant care for cancer patients before and after radiation.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will understand:

What dentists should understand regarding oral complications associated with head & neck radiation for cancer
The specific data points, timeline considerations, and other metrics that dentists should obtain from radiation oncologists to ensure proper dental care
How dentists can provide safe and effective dental implantology and oral surgery procedures in the irradiated jaw
What information dentists can provide for radiation oncologists to ensure effective and timely cancer treatment (i.e., dental clearance, post-RT dental assessment)
The next-steps available for dentists interested in providing implants for cancer patients and survivors

ACCESS COURSE HERE

Speakers

Dr. Ryan S. Lee, DDS, MPH, MHA, FICOI, FAGD completed a postgraduate Fellowship in Dental Oncology, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2013. Prior to that, he obtained his DDS from NYU College of Dentistry, with honors, in 2010. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Lee has maintained a practice focused on oral oncology and dental implantology, in both private practice and academic settings. Currently, he serves as Founder of New York Center for Dental Oncology and Linkstone Implant Academy. Since 2009, Dr. Lee has also served as a reserve officer, currently holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Comprehensive Dental Officer, with the US Army Reserve.

Dr. Jared Robbins, MD is an Instructor in Radiation Oncology at Duke University, specializing in head and neck cancers. He completed his medical degree at the University of Arizona and residency at Henry Ford Health System. Dr. Robbins is dedicated to patient care, education, and research. His current NCI-funded study (2024–2029) explores computational tumor phenotyping to better understand treatment resistance. He has published extensively on imaging, precision radiotherapy, and outcomes in aggressive thyroid cancers.