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Xerostomia: A Continuing Challenge for Oral Healthcare Professionals

COURSE NUMBER: 96

Credit Hours:

2 Hour(s)

Oral care administered by healthcare professionals should be guided by evidence-based decision making for better practice outcomes. The purpose of this course is to provide pertinent information on Xerostomia (also called ‘dry mouth’ or ‘h...

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Overview

Oral care administered by healthcare professionals should be guided by evidence-based decision making for better practice outcomes. The purpose of this course is to provide pertinent information on Xerostomia (also called ‘dry mouth’ or ‘hyposalivation’), a rapidly growing problem in an aging U.S. population, that has a variety of possible causes.


Oral care delivered by healthcare professionals should be guided by best available scientific evidence. Xerostomia (pronounced zeer oh stomia) is a rapidly growing problem in an aging U.S. population and a condition that has a variety of possible causes including the use of xerogenic medications, tobacco smoking, alcohol use (including alcohol-containing mouthrinses), the use of beverages that contain caffeine and certain chronic health conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, head and neck cancer therapy, HIV-associated salivary gland disease, blood and marrow transplants, bulimia, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies in the elderly and mouth breathing. Clinical guidelines for oral treatment and dental caries prevention in patients with chronic xerostomia are complicated by new products and therapies and need to be assessed by dental teams on a regular basis. Interdisciplinary collaboration between the dental and medical community is important, particularly when treating individuals with complex chronic conditions that may induce chronic hyposalivation. Xerostomia is considered a subjective sensation of dry mouth by some individuals whereas chronic hyposalivation is defined by assessing salivary flow rate.

  • Intended Audience:

    Dental Assistants, Dental Hygiene Students, Dental Hygienists, Dental Students, Dentists, Dental Assistant Students

  • Date Course Online:

    Feb 26, 2007

  • Last Revision Date:

    Aug 23, 2015

  • Course Expiration Date:

    Aug 22, 2018

  • Cost:

    Free

  • Method:

    Self-instructional

  • AGD Subject Code(s):

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:


- Explain why candidiasis is sometimes associated with xerostomia.


- Identify diseases/conditions associated with xerostomia.


- Discuss the advantages of scheduling a pretreatment oral evaluation for cancer patients in reducing oral complications including xerostomia.


- List some of the etiologies of mouth breathing.


- Name the classifications of medications that are most often associated with xerostomia.


- Discuss side effects of antidepressants besides xerostomia.


- Distinguish between traditional and atypical antipsychotic drugs.


- Explain how atropinic drugs affect biological systems.


- Identify the various functions of saliva.


- Explain why xerostomia is not a reliable indicator of salivary hypofunction.


- Develop clinical guidelines for a xerogenic patient in an effort to reduce oral complications.


- Discuss self-applied fluoride recommendations for xerogenic individuals.


- Identify components of an adult recare regimen that would be beneficial for xerogenic patients.


- Develop a list of suggestions for xerogenic patients that are palliative and protective.

Disclaimers

Participants must always be aware of the hazards of using limited knowledge in integrating new techniques or procedures into their practice. Only sound evidence-based dentistry should be used in patient therapy. Note:  Registration is required to take test.

Author(s)

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement

- The authors report no conflicts of interest associated with this work.

Submission Information

Recognition

AGD Pace Logo

Approved PACE Program Provider

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY


Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.

Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.


8/1/2021 to 7/31/2027

Provider ID# 211886