ACP Webinar: Scoping Out Solutions: Multidisciplinary Care Between Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and
This presentation will further discuss the functional benefit of speech pathology/maxillofacial prosthodontics interdisciplinary collaboration and provide a framework for implementing a clinically feasible co-treatment program throughout the continuum of care. We will discuss key anatomic and physiologic considerations for prosthodontic rehabilitation and review the various types of prostheses while highlighting the SLP's role in optimizing functional speech and swallowing outcomes.
Michelle Ruse, DDS, MDS, FACP
HannahC. Walton, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Patients with head and neck cancer often experience significant anatomic and physiologic changes related to speech, swallowing, voice, and resonance before, during, or after treatment. Both speech pathologists and maxillofacial prosthodontists are generally regarded as important members of the head and neck multidisciplinary care team. It is common practice for head and neck cancer patients to see speech pathologists and maxillofacial prosthodontists after surgery and/or adjuvant treatment in order to improve post-treatment functional outcomes. While patients undoubtedly experience benefit from seeing both professional disciplines individually, this traditional model of care can present barriers, including delays in prosthetic adjustments, communication gaps, and potential misjudgments regarding patient candidacy for obturation/prosthetic rehabilitation, thus eroding the efficiency and efficacy of functional rehabilitation efforts.
Although close multidisciplinary collaboration is critical to achieving optimal patient outcomes, it remains rare for speech pathologists and maxillofacial prosthodontists to co-treat patients in real-time. Typically, patients receive a prosthesis postoperatively and then may be referred to a speech pathologist to learn to speak, eat, and drink more effectively with the prosthesis. Speech pathologists may recommend adjustments based on imaging or patient feedback, but follow-up appointments with the prosthodontist are often required before the patient returns to the speech pathologist for further therapy. This cyclical process can extend over weeks, months, or even years before prosthetic rehabilitation reaches its full potential.
To enhance patient care and improve functional outcomes, we developed a speech pathology/maxillofacial prosthodontics co-treatment program. Through this program, we are able to treat patients together in-person in real-time, obtain and review relevant imaging to guide prosthetic construction and modification, and discuss patient candidacy for prosthetic rehabilitation. This approach enables us to assess speech and swallowing needs while making immediate adjustments to prostheses. As early involvement is key, we have advocated to see patients before, during, and after their head and neck oncologic treatment. Our experience has shown that this integrated approach is instrumental in optimizing functional outcomes related to speech and swallowing in a timely manner, leading to enhanced patient satisfaction and overall quality of care.
This presentation will further discuss the functional benefit of speech pathology/maxillofacial prosthodontics interdisciplinary collaboration and provide a framework for implementing a clinically feasible co-treatment program throughout the continuum of care. We will discuss key anatomic and physiologic considerations for prosthodontic rehabilitation and review the various types of prostheses while highlighting the SLP's role in optimizing functional speech and swallowing outcomes before, during, and after receipt of an obturator or other prosthesis. Challenges, successes, and clinical outcomes will be discussed. Clinically relevant case studies will be reviewed.
At the conclusion of this session, the attendee should be able to:
- Understand the ways in which an SLP evaluation of an obturator, palatal augmentation prosthesis, or palatal lift prosthesis can greatly improve functional outcomes for patients.
- Prosthodontists can learn the ways that modified barium swallow studies and endoscopic exams can guide modifications to prostheses.
- Understand the true difference multidisciplinary care can provide for prosthodontic patients.
Earn 1 CE Credit