title: The patient with Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Parkinson's disease is an idiopathic, slowly progressive disorder of the central nervous system characterized by resting tremor, muscular rigidity, slow and decreased movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability. In the United States, Parkinson's disease is the fourth most common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly, affecting an estimated half a million people. Oral health care providers can expect to be called upon to care for patients with this progressively debilitating disease. To provide competent care to patients with Parkinson's disease, clinicians must understand the disease, its treatment, and its impact on the patient's ability to undergo and respond to dental care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Dental Diagnostic Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dental School, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dirks
authors.forename: Eleonore D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Paunovich
authors.forename: Geza T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Terezhalmy
authors.forename: Laura K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Chiodo
mesh_terms: D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D003142:Communication; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D003778:Dentures; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D010808:Physical Examination; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology