Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 195, 243 - 248 (2003)
Published online: 13 September 2003 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4810470
General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners Part 8: Musculoskeletal system
- Musculoskeletal disorders can affect co-operation during dental treatment
- Musculoskeletal disorders may affect oro-facial functionl
- Musculoskeletal disorders can affect the structure and eruption of the dentition
- Sedation with benzodiazepines is contraindicated in some muscular diseases
- Drugs used to control musculoskeletal disease may affect oral structures
General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners:
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Gastrointestinal system
- Neurological disorders
- Liver disease
- The endocrine system
- Renal disorders
- Musculoskeletal system
- Haematology and patients with bleeding problems
- The paediatric patient
Abstract
Disorders of the musculoskeletal system may impact on dental management in diverse ways. Diseases of the bones may have a direct influence on treatment and joint disorders can also cause difficulties. Cervical spine involvement may lead to poor neck extension causing difficulties in providing dental treatment under local anaesthesia or allowing the provision of a safe general anaesthetic. Muscular disorders may mitigate against safe general anaesthesia. As with all medical disorders a thorough history can help to prevent many of the possible problems which may occur secondary to musculoskeletal diseases.
- Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Dental School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Dental School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW
Correspondence to: M Greenwood1 e-mail: beryl.leggatt@ncl.ac.uk