I've known my dentist, Dr. Sanjay Doshi, for nearly 30 years, as he was my mom's dentist for over…read more25 years and he's been my dentist for the past couple of years.
In May of 2025, I received a diagnosis of a highly aggressive, highly metastatic head & neck cancer, of the tonsil, over nine lymph nodes and base of tongue. This type of oropharyngeal cancer threw me into a club that no one should ever be a part of. I was told that without immediate, intensive radiation and chemo (requiring extensive other treatment radiation dentistry), it was terminal. I was given weeks to months. The condition was serious. And time wasn't on my side.
After being assessed by my oncology team, I was informed I required the highest level of radiation a patient could be given (70), all the way around my neck, and that I would potentially have dental decay, lose some or all of my teeth have jaw bone decay or even jaw death.
My physicians and specialists, including Dr. Doshi, were surprised about my diagnosis. But Dr. Doshi was always confident, from the very start, that I'd get through this, though time was not on my side. He gave me hope from the very start that I would not only survive, but that I would come through this on the other side, and thrive. Thankfully, he was right.
Dr. Doshi immediately took me under his dental care, for radiation dentistry, immediately contacted my radiation oncologist, coordinated with him, and began to prep me for radiation (radiation of this nature should never begin until all dental decay and pending dental issues have been addressed). This involved a great deal of work. I never felt overwhelmed about the dentistry, as Doshi took care to keep me safe while working at warp speed to expedite my dental care needs, so that I could quickly begin my treatments.
In one month, Dr Doshi did a year's worth of dental work, and he instantly became the a key figure in my cancer care team. Or as I call them, my dream team. He handled my imaging, testing, exams, x-rays, 3 necessary root canals, he had necessary custom fitted, upper and lower radiation guards made (to protect my teeth and gums from radiation during radiation), and a custom fitted, upper and lower fluoride trays, for my daily care, post radiation and chemo. He worked with precision and speed, to ensure I went into my cancer treatments healthy and strong. I went into my treatments with no dental issues or oral infections.
It was a brutal cancer treatment. Only someone who's been through this level and type of treatment can truly know how brutal, but I made it through.
Thankfully, I am in remission. With a less than 5% chance of recurrence.
Radiation to the neck and head can seriously compromise one's dental health, in the short term and long term, so radiation dentistry is necessary before and indefinitely after such an intensive cancer treatment.
So I will continue to see Dr. Doshi, moving forward, for closer care - involving more frequent cleanings, more frequent dental exams, and laser gum therapy - to minimize the chances of greater dental damage down the line.
He's gone above and beyond in ensuring my dental health is tended to so that my quality of life can be improved upon and hopefully maintained for the remainder of my years. And simultaneously,
Thanks to Dr. Doshi, 7 months after cancer treatment ended, I've not lost a single tooth, while other patients reported loss of many or all teeth. I hope to spare my teeth for the long run.