The Dentist in Palliative Care: Addressing Oral Health for Holistic End-of-Life Support.

Palliative care dentistry involves the management of oral health in patients with progressive, far-advanced diseases, where the oral cavity is compromised either by the illness or its treatment. As a member of the multidisciplinary palliative care team, the dentist plays a crucial but often overlooked role in enhancing patients' quality of life. With changing demographics and longer life expectancies, the demand for palliative dental care is expected to rise significantly-from 5,20,000 to 1.4 million people by 2031. An interdisciplinary approach that includes dental professionals is essential in delivering holistic palliative care that upholds dignity, comfort, and oral function during end-of-life stages.