title: Multiple sclerosis: an update for oral health care providers.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The disease mostly affects young adults and is increasing in prevalence and incidence. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by periods of activity and remission which, after numerous relapses, cause permanent neurologic deficits. Diagnosis of MS is based on patient history and clinical examination supplemented by the findings of radiologic and laboratory tests. Numerous motor and sensory disturbances occur in MS and may present in the orofacial region. This medical management update highlights issues that are important to the oral health care provider, including orofacial manifestations of MS and dental considerations for patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, UIC College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612-7213, USA. fischerd@uic.edu
authors.forename: Dena J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Joel B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klasser
mesh_terms: D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000503:physiopathology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult