Dental care for cancer patients: a survey of Texas dental school graduates.

A survey of recent Texas dental school graduates regarding their preparedness for addressing the oral health care needs of cancer patients in their practices suggests several trends. Many graduates (26%) do not feel adequately prepared to manage and provide oral care for cancer patients. Over 95% of the dentists surveyed expressed interest in locally sponsored continuing education courses on the oral health care of cancer patients. Clearly, both predoctoral and postdoctoral dental education must recognize the need for formalized instruction on the oral cre of cancer patients if general dentists are to provide high-quality, comprehensive dental care for these patients.