I lost my dad to lung cancer & his oral care during tx | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene

Irene, a dental hygienist and host of the Tooth or Dare Podcast, shares a deeply personal episode about the sudden loss of her father to stage four squamous cell carcinoma after a brief and harrowing battle with lung cancer. Her father, a 40-year smoker, was initially misdiagnosed with pneumonia after presenting with chronic headaches and coughing up blood. Despite her advocacy as a healthcare professional, Irene recounts the systemic gaps in care—particularly the absence of dental support during his treatment at Sunnybrook Cancer Centre, where the only oral care recommendation was rinsing with baking soda four times a day. She describes the emotional toll of watching her father endure radiation and chemotherapy, losing weight due to dysphagia and dry mouth, while no one ever brushed his teeth during his four hospital admissions. Irene reflects on the profound impact of being both a daughter and a healthcare provider, advocating for patients in a system that often overlooks basic oral hygiene in oncology. She ends with a powerful call to action: advocate for dental professionals in hospitals, recognize the invisible needs of patients, and cherish time with loved ones.