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ePaper created 2018-05-16, 11:45:19 | version 1.38.0
INTERVIEW with — Dr. Selma Camargo São Paulo, Brazil and Dr. Susana Teitelbaum Montevideo, Uruguay Dr. Selma Camargo has a master’s degree and a PhD in endodontics from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. She teaches endodontics, lectures at and coordinates the General Dentistry Clinic for Adults at the Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, Brazil, lectures on lasers in dentistry and is coordinator of the laser in dentistry unit at the university. Dr. Susana Teitelbaum has a master’s degree in pediatric dentistry and laser dentistry. Since 2013, she has taught laser dentistry at the Instituto de Tecnología Avanzada, Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Teitelbaum is also a member of the Grupo de Estética Orofacial Argentina in the field of laser dentistry and of the Comisión Científica de la Asociación Odontológica in Uruguay. She has held over 100 presentations in laser and pediatric dentistry. Q: Can every cancer patient who develops oral mucositis be treated and benefit from laser treatment? A: Yes, certainly. All patients, without restriction, can benefit from laser treat- ment. Patients that develop mucositis from radio- or chemotherapy and are undergoing different treatment proto- cols can be treated with laser. Laser is indicated in a preventive approach or to treat mucositis. Q: How does laser treatment act on muco- sitis-affected areas? Does laser work based on a specific mechanism to control the spread of oral mucositis or does it accelerate the healing process? A: There are three basic actions of laser light: It promotes analgesia, controls the inflammatory process and acts as a cellu- lar biomodulator, stimulating the healing process. Q: What are the main effects of oral muco- sitis treatment using low-intensity laser therapy for the quality of life of oncology patients? A: Most patients with Grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis cannot eat because of the extent of the extremely aggressive lesions and high-intensity pain. Since they are unable to eat, there is a risk that their overall con- dition will worsen. Laser acts in accelerating the healing process of oral mucositis, re- pairing lesions faster. Besides that, thanks to its analgesic effects, laser eliminates or at least diminishes the pain, allowing patients to consume food immediately. 82 — issue 2018 Clinical Mentoring Interview