storage of drugs in the dental setting should be controlled by following the standard operation procedures (SOP)
drugs are usually held under lock and key until needed, as long as a practitioner is present drugs may stay in a
treatment room. all drugs should be stored according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
main classes of drugs include Analgesics used to
relieve pain treatment is usually required too in order
to eliminate pain completely. Antibiotics are used to
fight bacterial infections commonly used include:
amoxicillin penicillin and metronidazole sedatives can
also be used to creat a calm state of consciousness so
a nervous patient is able to tolerate dental treatment.
emergency drugs are regulary
checked and maintained.: oxygen,
salbutamol, adrenaline, hydrocortisone,
chlorphenamine, midazolam, glucose,
GTN spray and asprin
medical conditions that affect oral tissues
Oral Candidiasis (oral thrush) HIV sufferes
frequently develop oral candadidasis, thrush
can take several different forms this
condition is characterized by generally white
patches that can be wiped off sometimes
mistaken for Materia Alba. under the white
patches there could be red sores which can be
very painful. treatment of anti fungal
medicines should be taken
eating disorders are accociated with general ill health and
acid erosion of enamel. ill health leads to a weak immune
system which can lead to ulcer breakouts of the oral cavity.
Glossitis is sorness and inflamation of the
tongue. people who suffer from hormone
disturbances and anaemia may also develop
glossitis. associated with a smooth glazed
appearance of the normally thick layer of
mucosa membrane on the upper surface
Ptyalism is the excessive secretion of
saliva cause by an underlying disease
and can occur due to: periodontal
disease, oral soft tissue trauma,
conditions causing acid reflux, nervous
system disorders (Parkinsons ect)
mercery poisoning
Diabetes suffers generally have
poor wound healing and are prone
to post-op complications and oral
infection
oral cancer can effect all areas
of the mouth including soft
tissues jaw bones and salivary
glands 90% of oral cancer
begins in soft tissues initiailly
as a lesion called SCC
(squarmous cells carcinoma.
signs include a painless ulcer
that doesnt heal with in 2-3
weeks usually found on the
floor of the mouth and inside
of cheeks. presented as a white
or red patch. surgical
treatment is usually required
hepatitis suffers are thought to be prone to tooth decay and have an
increased likely-hood of xerostomia, tooth sensitivity, gum infections and
mouth ulcerations due to these problems suffers quality of life is reduced.
epilepsy sufferers can
be perscribed a drug
called Epanutin which
can cause
gingivaltissues to
overgrow (Gingival
hyperplasia) making
oral hygiene levels
harder to maintain.
mental illness, people with various serious mental illnesses can lead
to poor dental hygiene as it is not seen as a priority lack of
motivation and self-neglect. medicines used can also decreas
salivary flow leading to caries.
HIV and the medication taken
by people who are HIV positive
can cause a decrease in salivary
flow leading to a dry mouth
known to increase caries
Necrotizing ulcerative
periodontitis (NUP) previously
called HIV-periodontitis a
condition associated with rapid
bone and soft tissue loss
leading to bine exposure and
tooth loss bleeding and pain can
sometimes be present.
Xerostomia - dry mouth can cause chewing
speaking and swallowing very difficult and can
lead to: a burning sensation in the mouth,
tooth decay, bad breath gum disease infections
in the mouth
herpes simplex is a common infection
involving the oral mucosa or lips. the infection
can be very painful or barely noticeable. when
very painful eating and drinking can be very
uncomfortable. this infection can reoccur
effecting the quality of life and the persons
appearance.
Oral leukoplakia and
Erythroplakia is the presence of
premaligant squarmous lesions -
areas of altered epithelium that
are at a risk of SCC Leukoplakia
is described as a white lesion of
the oral mucosa that cannot be
scraped off it is usually found on
the outside edges of the tongue
lesions normally have an uneven
surface with hair like projections.
Erythroplakia - a red patch that
cannot be accounted for by any
other disease and behaves in the
same way as the Leukoplakia
Varicella Zoster
virus (chicken pox)
and Herpes Zoster
virus (shingles)
chicken pox is
presented as an
itchy rash on the
body which can also
be present in the
mouth as sores. it
can be very
uncomfortable and
can oral hygine
distressing due t
the pain that may
be involved. shingles
is just like chicken
pox however usually
only affects one
area of the body.
Lichen planus is an ongoing inflamation
of the mucosa membranes inside the
mouth. it may appear as white lacy
patches red swallen tissues or open
sores burning pain is occasionally
presentin the cheeks tongue or gums.
there is not normally pain present but
some areas can blister making tem
sensitive to spicy cold or hot foods.
osteoporosis effects the
bones making them become
less dense and more likely
to fracture. if the jaw bones
become affected by
osteoporosis tooth loss is
very common and other
dental issues may occur.
Ageing on oral tissues: skin-less fat/elasticity Bone-brittle Oral
Mucosa-thin less elastic, less tolerant to dentures, gingival recession
increased risk of root caries. Salivary glands-less production of saliva
teeth-darker,pulpchamber reduced more narrow reduced sensitivity
Prevention, diagnosis&managment
diagnosis- regular dental check up appointments means early stages of any serious condition can be spotted and
referrals can be sent at the right time for further investigation. Biopsy of a suspectedsite can be taken in order to
gain an accurate diagnosis.
regular check ups - early detection of caries
and lesions can maintain a healthy oral cavity.
healthy diets including low red meat intake
has been know to reduce oral cancer risks.
smoking can lead to gum disease,
tooth loss, cancer and tooth
staining. chewing tabacco is
known to cause cancer in the
mouth at a much higher rate than
smoking. alcohol can cause oral
cancer and can contribute to acid
erosion to the tooths enamel
management- check ups medication and
surgery are all parts of the management
system. depending on the type of cancer
and patient some of these things may not
apply. surgery and medicines are usually
prescribed by the oncologist. patients should
be dealt with sensitively when discussing
treatment and diagnosis of oral diseases
and cancers.
medical conditions and treatment planning
Warfarin users blood clotting ability is
decreases so prior to any dental treatment
that mat cause bleeding the patient would
need to have an INR reading ( a blood test
to check the clotting ability) as bleeding is
very hard to stop for anyone taking this
medication their INR must be below 3.0
Pregnancy will prevent
the use of amalgum
and xrays due to the
hazards of mercery and
radiation for the baby.
Pacemakers can be interfered with
by old style scalers so it is much
safer to use a hand scaler for
someone who has a pacemaker.
Cancer can effect treatment planning as the
patient can ony have dental treatment during
certain times of their cancer treatment. patients
receiving cancer treatment generally have a
weakened immune system so bleeding and
infection is much more common the dentist and
Oncologist should plan treatment together.
osteoporosis can affect the jaw which
could lead to jaw fracturs during
treatment PT may be refered to a
specialist. the condition should be taken
into consideration when positioning the
dental chair.
Oral Thrush - the patient would be prescribed
an anti-fungal medicine to clear up the infection,
once the infection has gone treatment can begin.
Chicken pox- the patient should rebook
appointment as it is highly infectious in its
early stages.
herpes simplex, if a patient has a
herpes outbreak their treatment
must be rebooked and cancelled