Pilot Study on Transient Bacteremia and Blood Stream Infections After Invasive Dental Procedures in Cancer Patients With Central Venous Catheters

Patients who are preparing to receive chemotherapy are asked to have their teeth cleaned before starting treatment as standard of care. This research study is being done to see if having dental cleaning increases the chances of bacteria from the mouth getting into the blood stream. It is also being done to see if these bacteria can cause blood stream infections in people who have a Central Venous Catheter (CVC),often called a "port" or a "PICC", placed for giving chemotherapy. It is a well-established fact that we introduce bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream with activities of daily life including chewing, flossing and brushing teeth. This introduction of bacteria into the blood stream may cause bacteria to stick to the central venous catheter and serve as a source of infection when the immune system is weakened by cancer. The purpose of this research study is to see if we can find bacteria from mouth in blood that is drawn through the CVC, during, and after a dental cleaning procedure. This way, we will be able to assess whether or not this is a potential health risk to cancer patients.