Dental update
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Burns to the oral mucosa usually result from the accidental ingestion of hot food or beverages. The burns are usually of short duration and little consequence. ⋯ Microwave ovens heat food much quicker than a conventional oven, but they produce uneven heating within the food and extremely high temperatures can be reached. We describe two cases of patients who suffered inadvertent injury to the oral mucosa from the ingestion of microwave-heated food.
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Managed clinical networks (MCNs) play an increasingly important part in the delivery of effective healthcare. This paper describes what they are and how they work, based on the experience of MCNs in Scotland and, in particular, CleftSiS, the National Managed Clinical Network for Cleft Lip and Palate Services in Scotland. ⋯ The basic principles of MCNs described in this paper will assist clinicians in all specialties, with the development of MCNs that modernize and integrate the delivery of effective healthcare.
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Careful history-taking improves diagnosis of non-dental orofacial pain, a not uncommon group of conditions. Accurate diagnosis of conditions such as chronic idiopathic facial pain, temporomandibular disorders, burning mouth syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia is essential if inappropriate dental treatment is to be avoided. There are few investigations to help in the diagnostic process and many of these patients have other forms of chronic pain. All the conditions are best treated using a holistic approach. Drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, are often effective and surgery can be highly successfully in trigeminal neuralgia. Patient education is paramount. ⋯ Although the majority of pain seen in general dental practice is dental in origin, chronic non-dental orofacial pain must be recognized as its management is entirely different.