Authors:
A. Vissink, H.S. Brand
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 170 - 171
Section:
Summary:
Dentists are frequently faced with medical problems and physicians are often consulted by patients with dental problems. This special issue of the Dutch Dental Journal describes several examples of medical-dental interaction elucidating the importance of this topic. In addition, a series of papers on subjects with medical as well as dental aspects will be published in future issues of this journal on a regular basis.
Authors:
D.E. van Diermen, H.S. Brand, A. Vissink
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 172 - 175
Section:
Summary:
A patients medical history is a vital part of his or her dental history and increases the dentists awareness of diseases and medication which might interfere with the patients dental treatment. This article describes the essential characteristics of a solid medical history, according to the Dutch Guidelines for Dental Education published in 1997. In future the importance of patients medical histories will increase along with the number of medically complex patients who visit the dental general practice.
Authors:
A.van Nieuw Amerongen, E.C.I. Veerman, H.S. Brand, A. Vissink
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 176 - 181
Section:
Summary:
Several salivary proteins are involved in the antimicrobial defence within the oral cavity, and are able to eliminate or inhibit a great number of microorganisms that enter the body via the oral cavity. Thus changes in the composition of saliva may not only affect peoples oral health, but also have consequences for their general health. Based on salivary proteins, antimicrobial peptides have been synthesized. Potentially, these could be used as a new class of antibiotics. The antimicrobial peptides are hardly cytotoxic to human cells and do not evoke any or only very little resistence in microorganisms.
Authors:
C.P. Bots, H.S. Brand, R.L. Franse, A.van Nieuw Amerongen
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 182 - 185
Section:
Summary:
In the Netherlands the incidence of chronic renal failure is approximately 1 in 10.000. In this review the causes of chronic renal failure and the medical treatment using hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplantation, are discussed. Moreover, an overview of the oral manifestations of chronic renal failure and the implications for dental treatment is given.
Authors:
W. Nesse, F.K.L. Spijkervet, F. Abbas, A. Vissink
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 186 - 190
Section:
Summary:
The possible link between oral and general health is based on an old concept. This paper summarizes current ideas on the role of translocation of oral pathogens to other parts of the body in the development of systemic disease. It appears that colonisation of the oral cavity by respiratory pathogens is a risk factor in the development of pneumonia in institutionalised elderly and intensive
care patients. Using a chloorhexidine oral rinse may reduce the risk of pneumonia. Furthermore, periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Translocation of oral microorganisms and an increase in serum concentrations of inflammatory mediators are considered to play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Potentially, preventive oral health care and periodontal intervention could play a part in preventing
cardiovascular disease.
Authors:
W. Nesse, F.K.L. Spijkervet, F. Abbas, A. Vissink
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 191 - 196
Section:
Summary:
The condition of the periodontium may effect peoples general health. There is evidence of a correlation between periodontal disease and preterm birth or low birth weight. In pregnant women with periodontal disease, scaling and root planing seems to reduce the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. Furthermore, periodontal disease appears to have an adverse effect on glycemic control in diabetics. However, periodontal treatment as a means to glycemic control is restricted unless it includes the use of systemic antibiotics.
Slowly, a possible correlation between periodontal disease and autoimmune diseases is emerging. Further research into the correlations between periodontal disease and systemic health is desirable and might well result in new therapeutic options.
Authors:
P.C. Bots-van ’t Spijker, C.D. Wierink, C. de Baat
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 197 - 201
Section:
Summary:
The number of elderly people in the Dutch society is increasing. As a result their number will grow in any dental practice. More elderly people keep (at least part of) their own dentition which requires pro-active oral health care. Ageing is associated with a greater prevalence of chronic diseases and disability. General self-care might decrease when frailty comes. As a consequence, problems with oral self-care will occur. Dental general practitioners have a responsibility to provide adequate oral care for their elderly patients. Information on their general medical conditions and the efffects these might have on their oral health should be collected for individual oral health care programmes. Preventive and individual oral care programmes are recommended.
Authors:
W.W.I. Kalk, J. de Boer, E.J. van der Wouden, A. Visser, A. Vissink
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 202 - 205
Section:
Summary:
A 53-year-old woman, known with a schizophrenic disorder and a history of drug addiction, was referred because of progressive hematomas of the lower extremities and fatigue. Her medical history included hyperplastic gums, tooth hypermobility and anaemia. Scurvy was diagnosed as a result of an insufficient diet due to drug addiction and a paranoid psychosis. After suppletion of vitamin C and starting highly nutritious food a rapid amelioration of the scurvy related complaints was observed. While dreaded and often fatal in earlier eras, in the 21st century scurvy is easily treatable if this diagnosis is recognised.
Authors:
G.W.C. Jaspers, M.F. Jonkman, A. Vissink
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 206 - 208
Section:
Summary:
A 33-year-old man suffered from spontaneously developing blisters of the oral mucosa. Firstly, the bullous lesions were observed in the third molar region, but they spread progressively over the buccal and palatal mucosa. The bullous lesions ruptured spontaneously, resulting in erosive lesions and pain. Before being referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the patient consulted his family doctor, his family dentist, as well as an ear-nose-throat-specialist. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon took a biopsy in order to confirm the clinical diagnosis pemphigus vulgaris. The patient was referred to a dermatologist for treatment with systemic corticosteroids and a non-steroid immunosuppressive drug. Subsequently, the mucosal lesions healed.
Authors:
S.L. Liem
Source:
NTvT may 2006; 113: 209 - 210
Section:
Summary:
The National Institute for Public Health and Environment applies its research and expertise in advising the government and healthcare professionals. For this purpose it collects information, nationwide and internationally, in the field of public health in order to monitor the risks of infectious diseases and epidemics. It presents an extensive amount of information on health, disease, nutrition, disease prevention, and environmental issues on its website.
