Oral Oncology Program

The Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Oral Oncology program, in collaboration with the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, focuses on investigation and management of oral precancerous lesions, oral cancer, and oral complications of cancer therapy, largely in patients with head and neck cancer. Although the program’s research, clinical care and educational themes are primarily directed to head and neck cancer, acute and chronic sequelae of cancer therapies for solid and hematologic tumors represents another area of clinical expertise and research interest. This program is aimed at addressing the needs of the underserved and underinsured of UConn Health Center's primary and secondary catchment areas, to take advantage of established relationships in the community by the School of Dental Medicine.

The Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center provides an essential and unique collaborative opportunity for faculty within the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, and Graduate School. In turn, this collaboration adds strategic value to the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center by effectively synthesizing key resources within the University of Connecticut. This modeling has been directly linked with the Health Center’s mission and research strategic plan, as well as with State legislative mandates. As such, the Oral Oncology program represents a novel resource for the Health Center as well as the State of Connecticut.