Matthew Messina, DDS graduated first in his class from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1987.  After graduation, he completed a general practice residency at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. A practicing general dentist for 30 years, he has also served as a visiting faculty member at the Pankey Institute for advanced dental education in Key Biscayne, Florida. Dr. Messina is the Clinic Director of Ohio State Upper Arlington Dentistry and is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry.  He had served as the Interim Director of the Dental Oncology Clinic of the James Cancer Center at OSU since 2018.

Dr. Messina is recognized nationally for his presentations on communications, as well as his lectures on leadership skills that allow dentists to provide optimal care for their patients. He is currently a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, serving as a national spokesperson since 1995. Throughout his career, he has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America program and NBC’s Today Show.  He has been interviewed on CNN and National Public Radio. He has also provided comments on dental health and related subjects for USA TODAY, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Web MD, and Prevention Magazine, to name just a few. 

We are winning the battle against cancer, which means that more people are living longer . . . and will need the help of their dentist!  With increasing frequency, every dental practice will see patients undergoing cancer treatment and who are at risk of the side effects and sequelae of their care. In 2018, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry launched the Dental Oncology Clinic, geared to providing comprehensive care for cancer patients. The goal is to minimize the risks of dental care for patients undergoing cancer treatment, provide information and education for patients, their families and healthcare providers, and to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.  This course presents a compilation of the experience gained by that clinic, which will provide tools that the attendee can use immediately in the care of their patients.  The attendees will receive materials that can become a reference manual for the practice in the assessment and treatment of oncology patients.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand of the nature of dental oncology patients, including those undergoing radiation therapy, anti-resorptive therapy and immunosuppressive therapy.
2. Have an appreciation for the value of proper consultation with other members of the cancer treatment team. Cancer-specific guidelines will be presented for effective consultation with our medical colleagues.
3. Understand osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), including the dental implications of both conditions.
4. Develop a rationale for comprehensive case assessment and treatment planning for restorative dental care of the oncology patient.  Post-treatment supportive strategies will also be discussed.

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