Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/543152
8 Like many family members of cancer patients, Stephen Matarazzo, DMD, wanted a meaningful way to thank the Dana-Farber caregivers who saved his son Michael's life. What he came up with involved offering his own professional expertise to protect the smiles of others. A dentist based in Quincy, Mass., Matarazzo provides pro bono dental exams and services to cancer and malignant hematology patients who, like his son did, need stem cell transplants. Dental visits are critical as transplants suppress the immune system, and patients are at significant risk for developing infections – in some cases life-threatening ones. The oral cavity and teeth are a potential site of infection; therefore, all stem cell transplant patients must undergo an extensive dental evaluation prior to the procedure. All cavities, cracked teeth, root canals, and other issues must be fixed prior to transplants, or serious complications can occur. "Careful attention to oral and dental health is critical to the success of stem cell transplantation," says Robert Soiffer, MD, chief of Hematologic Malignancies at Dana-Farber and co-chief of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at Dana-Farber/ Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (DF/BWCC). "Infection from oral sources can lead to serious complications after transplant. We are grateful for Dr. Matarazzo's generosity." The transplantation program at DF/BWCC is one of the largest in the country, and requires oral X-rays and physical exams pre-transplant. The Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry at Brigham and Women's Hospital sees many of these patients, and works closely with community dentists in guiding management of their patients in preparation for transplant. Such procedures can be very expensive, however, and they are not typically covered by medical insurance – even if cancer- related. It is in these cases that Matarazzo steps in, helping patients who otherwise could not afford the services. Matarazzo has been providing his services for nearly a decade, since his son was in treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia The Matarazzo family gathers at the 2008 San Francisco Marathon. Front row, left to right: daughters Meg, Katie; Back row, left to right: son Michael, mother Joanne, father Stephen. Katie ran the race in honor of her brother Michael just after he finished his A.L.L. treatment at Dana-Farber. Dentist Brings Smiles to Dana-Farber Cancer Patients (This article originally appeared in Insight, a publication of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and is being reprinted with their permission) photos by Mindi Sokoloski