title: The asthma patient and dental management.
abstract: Asthma is increasing worldwide at a dramatic rate. The way the medical community defines asthma is changing, from considering it solely a respiratory disease to recognizing it as a more complex inflammatory disease process. This means that the treatment of asthma is becoming multifocal, depending upon the varied symptoms displayed. Reflecting this change is a shift to the use of corticosteroids in addition to the more traditional pulmonary medications. Dentists should be aware of the newer classifications and treatment modalities. There needs to be an understanding of the role these pharmaceutical agents play in the needs and treatment of our dental patients. Recent trends in the diagnosis and management of asthma are examined and recommendations for managing the asthmatic patient are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Coke
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Karaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents