title: Connective tissue disorders and the mouth.
abstract: The connective tissue disorders frequently give rise to orofacial manifestations, especially dry mouth because of Sjögren's syndrome. In addition, the systemic complications of such diseases may impact upon the provision of oral health care. The present article reviews the consequences of connective tissue disorders of relevance to oral health care providers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Connective tissue disorders can give rise to oral manifestations and systemic complications that may occasionally compromise primary oral health care.
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine, Division of Maxillofacial Medical, Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Crispian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis