Lesions of the oral cavity have an enormous impact on the quality of life of patients with advanced disease. They cause considerable morbidity and diminish a patient's physical and psychological well-being. Oral complications impair oral nutrition and can cause a variety of problems including malnutrition, anorexia, and cachexia. Psychological problems relate to the role that the oral cavity plays in communication and social life. This book provides comprehensive, clinically relevant, evidence-based guidelines on oral problems to ensure first-rate care. The scientific foundations and research base for their management underpin the discussion throughout. A multi-disciplinary group of contributors provide authoritative guidelines on clinical features, investigations, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, as well as complementary therapies. Chapters cover oral assessment, hygiene, domiciliary dental care, infections, taste disturbance, pain, HIV infection and AIDS, neurological diseases, and paediatric problems. Highly illustrated throughout, the book also includes an extensive colour plate section.

1. Introduction, Andrew Davies 2. Oral assessment, Andrew Davies 3. Oral hygiene, Petrina Sweeney 4. Domiciliary dental care, Angus Walls 5. Oral infections - introduction, Susan Brailsford & David Beighton 6. Fungal infections, Ilora Finlay & Andrew Davies 7. Bacterial infections, Jeremy Bagg 8. Viral infections, Jeremy Bagg 9. Salivary gland dysfunction, Andrew Davies 10. Taste disturbance, Carla Ripamonti & Fabio Fulfaro 11. Halitosis, Kate Shorthose & Andrew Davies 12. Oral pain, John Meechan 13. Miscellaneous oral problems, Anita Sengupta & John Eveson 14. Head and neck cancer, Jan Roodenburg & Andrew Davies 15. Oral complications of cancer treatment, Mark Chambers, Adam Garden, James Lemon, Merrill Kies & Jack Martin 16. HIV infection/AIDS, Louis DePaola & Arley Silva 17. Chronic neurological diseases, Janice Fiske 18. Paediatric problems, Richard Hain, Graham Roberts & Victoria Lucas