title: Managing the side effects of medications.
abstract: Dental hygienists learn of the drugs taken by clients by conducting thorough comprehensive health history and pharmacologic history reviews. Many clients take multiple medications; therefore, dental hygienists must be aware of the issues related to drug use, including indications, interactions, and adverse drug effects. The ability to evaluate these issues is necessary to accurately assess client status and prevent situations that compromise client safety. Oral side effects are adverse effects that interfere with client function, and increase risks for infection, pain and possible tooth loss. The purpose of this continuing education course is to review adverse drug effects and to discuss appropriate dental hygiene interventions used to manage oral complications associated with commonly prescribed medications. Dental hygienists will learn to accurately diagnose oral complications of medication use, and make appropriate treatment recommendations to manage these effects. Timely recognition and professional interventions are necessary to improve client comfort and maintain oral health and function. Successful completion of the course objectives will be assessed by a post-test, to be completed by the learner after reading the article in its entirety. Two hours of continuing education course credit will be awarded following successful completion of the post-test.
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Spolarich
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D005459:Fluorides