title: Myasthenia gravis: a review for dental hygienists.
abstract: Myasthenia Gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease causing fluctuating weakness in the voluntary muscles, leads to various degrees of neurological dysfunction. Typically exhibiting a slow but progressive course, the disease may become fatal when muscles of respiration fail. Appropriate dental hygiene management of patients with this disorder is contingent upon an understanding of disease etiology, clinical characteristics, pharmacological interventions as well as oral manifestations. With this information, dental hygienists will be better prepared to provide safe and effective treatment to patients with MG and may prevent a life threatening crisis from developing during dental hygiene care.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. MSltolle@odu.edu
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tolle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic