This summary is based on the article published in the British Dental Journal: General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners: part 5. Immunological disease and dental practice (August 2014) M. Greenwood, J. G. Meechan and C. Stroud   Context At some stage in clinical practice all dental practitioners will encounter patients with disorders of the immune system. It is therefore important that dental practitioners are aware of the potential implications for safe practice. Purpose of the Paper Provides an overview of clinical immunology and how it interfaces with dentistry. Highlights signs of possible immunodeficiency. Discusses oral conditions that may be ...

Revisit the Case Presentation and Clinical Evaluation This case is presented by:  Dr. Eric T. Stoopler, D.M.D., FDS RCSEd, FDS RCSEng Dr. Juan M. Bugueno, D.D.S. Dr. Kevin Sweeney, D.D.S. Dr. David C. Stanton, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S  We would like to thank all our dentists who submitted their responses to the diagnosis and treatment challenge. Case Diagnosis The Clinical diagnosis was bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla. Treatment The patient’s oncologist discontinued the ZA therapy. The patient was evaluated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who recommended surgical debridement of the affected areas and the patient underwent the procedure five months after cessation ...

This question was submitted by a general dentist: What are the immediate and long term considerations for the GP dentist providing dental care to children who have undergone cancer therapy or bone marrow transplantation?” Dr. Carol Janik and Caroline Fulop provided this initial response.  The focus of this article is to provide practitioners with guidance on the clinical considerations for pediatric patients who have undergone cancer therapy or bone marrow transplantation. For more information on patients who have been diagnosed and are planned to initiate treatment or those patients currently undergoing therapy please consider referral to a hospital pediatric dentist and ...

This case is presented by:  Dr. Eric T. Stoopler, D.M.D., FDS RCSEd, FDS RCSEng Dr. Juan M. Bugueno, D.D.S. Dr. Kevin Sweeney, D.D.S. Dr. David C. Stanton, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S  Click here to view the BRONJ Case Diagnosis and Treatment Case Presentation A 64-year-old Caucasian female presented for evaluation of symptomatic exposed bone of a two-year duration post extraction of maxillary teeth with immediate placement of four dental implants. Medical history: Is at stage IV breast adenocarcinoma treated with surgery and trastuzumab. Received intravenous zoledronic acid (ZA) 4 mg monthly for approximately two years for metastatic bone disease. Underwent dental surgery ...

This summary is based on the article published in the journal of Clinical Oral Investigation: The effect of radiotherapy on dental hard tissue. A systematic review (January 2014) H. F. J. Lieshout & C. P. Bots Context Decay of teeth, erosion and disintegration of hard dental tissue are clinically often seen side effects after radiotherapy for tumours in the head and neck region. Purpose of the Review To investigate if these side effects are due to structural changes in dental hard tissues, the current literature was searched. It can influence the quality of life gravely. Results Tooth destruction occurs often and soon after irradiation. There ...

This summary is based on the 2014 US Surgeon General’s report: The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2014. Read the Executive Summary (PDF) Read the full report (PDF) For the United States, the epidemic of smokingcaused disease in the twentieth century ranks among the greatest public health catastrophes of the century, while the decline of smoking consequent to tobacco control is surely one of public health’s greatest successes. However, the current rate of progress in tobacco control is not fast enough, and much more needs to be done to end the tobacco epidemic. Unacceptably high levels of smokingattributable disease and death, and the ...

This summary is based on the article published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Osteoradionecrosis—A review of current concepts in defining the extent of the disease and a new classification proposal (May 2014) Andrew Lyons, Jona Osher, Elinor Warner, Ravi Kumar, Peter A. Brennan Context Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is potentially a debilitating and serious consequence of radiotherapy to the head and neck. Although it is oftendefined as an area of exposed bone that does not heal, it can also exist without breaching the mucosa or the skin. Currently, 3 classifica-tions of ORN are in use, but they depend on ...

This summary is based on the article published in the Australian Dental Journal: The use of bisphosphonates in children: review of the literature and guidelines for dental management (March 2014)