Special care in dentistry : official publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry
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Necrotizing sialometaplasia (NS) is a self-limiting, benign, inflammatory disease of the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. The main significance of the NS lesion lies in the fact that it may be mistaken for mucoepidermoid or squamous cell carcinoma. ⋯ Histologically, the tissue was characterized by squamous metaplasia of ducts and acini, lobular coagulation necrosis, and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the overlying epithelium. The lesion disappeared completely after 2 weeks.
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Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and debilitating genetic disorder of skeletal malformations and progressive heterotopic ossification. Flare-ups are episodic, with bone formation in skeletal muscle and connective tissue leading to ankylosis of major joints of the axial and appendicular skeleton. ⋯ The authors compare the surgical techniques, osteotomy versus the more conservative buccal approach, anesthesia techniques, and conventional intubation versus sedated fiberoptic intubation. This report emphasizes the importance of a less invasive surgical technique and an appropriate anesthetic management that reduces the risks, cost, and morbidity associated with routine surgical management of patients with FOP.
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The goal of this study was to identify and quantify complications occurring with the administration of anesthesia for the dental treatment of patients with special needs. Anesthesia providers completed a standardized evaluation form, delineating possible complications for 202 consecutive ambulatory patients receiving anesthesia in a special needs clinic. Statistical analysis of four types of administered anesthesia showed that the overall complication rate was 23.8%. ⋯ Variables found to affect the incidence of anesthetic complications included ASA classification, anesthetic technique, Mallampati airway classification, and type of dental procedure performed. An evaluation of the results of the study showed that the majority of complications that occurred with anesthesia during care of patients with special needs were mild and did not lead to severe adverse events. Our findings show that anesthesia administered during dental treatment for patients with special needs is safe and effective.
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Childhood oral disease is a significant health problem, particularly for vulnerable populations. Since a major focus of General Dentistry Program directors is the management of vulnerable populations, we wanted to assess their attitudes regarding the inclusion of physicians in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood oral disease. A survey was mailed to all General Practice Residency and Advanced Education in General Dentistry program directors (accessed through the ADA website) to gather data. ⋯ Overall, Advanced General Dentistry directors were supportive of physicians' involvement in basic aspects of oral health care for children, with the exception of applying fluoride varnish. The large majority of directors agreed with physicians' assessing children's oral health and counseling patients on the prevention of dental problems. Directors who treated larger numbers of children from vulnerable populations tended to strongly support physician assistance with early assessment and preventive counseling.
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A computer-assisted telephone interview in Maryland of adults who had low income and were Hispanic, Black, and White and who had experienced a toothache during the previous 12 months was conducted. Respondents reported a high prevalence of toothaches, with 44.3% having experienced more than five toothaches during the preceding 10 years. Pain intensity associated with the most recent toothache was high with 45.1% of the respondents reporting the highest pain possible. ⋯ Initial strategies most often focused on nonprescription medicines(home remedies and prayer. The majority of respondents ultimately sought pain relief from a dentist. We identified a number of significant differences in the strategies used across racial/ethnic groups.