Jacksonville Specialist Warns of Rising HPV-Related 'Dental Crisis' for Cancer Survivors

Dr. CJ Henley calls for radical shift in post-oncology dental protocols to combat rapid, devastating loss of dental health following radiation treatment.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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As the medical community sees a rise in HPV-related head and neck cancers among younger, non-smoking patients, a Jacksonville-based dental specialist is sounding the alarm on a secondary crisis - the rapid and devastating loss of dental health following life-saving radiation treatment. Dr. CJ Henley, DMD, is advocating for a mandatory, specialized standard of care for all head and neck cancer patients, including custom fluoride trays, three-month dental visits, and proactive pre-radiation dental clearance.

Why it matters

Historically, oral cancer patients were often long-term tobacco users with pre-existing dental issues. Today's younger, healthier patients assumed their good oral health would protect them, but radiation fundamentally alters the biology of the mouth, leading to total dental failure within just a few years of being declared cancer-free. Without specialized intervention, these patients face a lifetime of pain, expense, and trauma from avoidable dental catastrophe.

The details

Radiation-induced dry mouth is a clinical catalyst for decay, as saliva's natural defense is lost. More critically, radiation alters the blood supply to the jawbone, turning routine dental procedures into high-risk events that can lead to osteoradionecrosis, a severe, non-healing infection. To combat this, Dr. Henley is advocating for mandatory custom fluoride trays, three-month dental visits (instead of six-month), and proactive pre-radiation dental clearance to ensure remaining teeth are structurally sound.

  • Dr. Henley is currently serving on the Head and Neck Tumor Board at Baptist MD Anderson in Jacksonville, Florida.

The players

Dr. CJ Henley, DMD, PA

A leader in restorative dentistry and oral oncology support in Jacksonville, Florida. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry, he serves on the Head and Neck Tumor Board at Baptist MD Anderson, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate complex care for cancer survivors.

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center

A cancer treatment center in Jacksonville, Florida where Dr. Henley serves on the Head and Neck Tumor Board.

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What they’re saying

“This is where the false sense of security begins. These patients assumed their lifelong habits would protect them. But radiation fundamentally alters the biology of the mouth. Without specialized intervention, we are seeing patients with 'perfect' teeth experience total dental failure within just a few years of being declared cancer-free.”

— Dr. CJ Henley, DMD

“The goal of oncology is to save the patient's life. Our goal as dental specialists is to ensure the life they've regained isn't defined by the pain, expense, and trauma of avoidable dental catastrophe.”

— Dr. CJ Henley, DMD

What’s next

Dr. Henley is advocating for a mandatory, specialized standard of care for all head and neck cancer patients to combat the rising 'dental crisis' faced by cancer survivors.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for a radical shift in post-oncology dental protocols to protect cancer survivors from the devastating long-term effects of radiation on oral health, which can undermine the very life-saving treatment they received.