Impact of opioid use on dentistry.
The oral consequences of opioid drug use are commonly attributed to personal neglect of general health and financial constraint. These factors are compounded by the increasingly recognized range of physical effects exerted by opioid drugs. The dental management of opioid drug dependents is further complicated by a variety of infections and behavioural modifications commonly associated with opioid use. Adequate strategies for the oral care of opioid users need to take cognisance of the broad medical issues for these people along with an appropriate personal approach.
Titsas
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University of Otago, New Zealand. angelo.titsas@bigpond.com
Ferguson
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MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012919:Social Behavior; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone