CLINICAL CARE

Oral Medicine acts a focus for specialist interdisciplinary care of patients with symptoms arising
from the mouth that do not relate directly to teeth.

These symptoms are often chronic and may have a significant psychological, as well as physical

impact on the patient’s quality of life.

In some instances, symptoms and signs reflect local problems restricted to the mouth. However,

symptoms and signs can represent oral manifestations of more widespread disease.

The clinical scope of Oral Medicine is extremely broad and there is close liaison with other hospital-

based clinical specialties (in brackets), including:

OOOWhite and red patches in the mouth where there is either oral dysplasia or cancer

OOOOO(Maxillofacial Surgery).

OOOSkin diseases with oral manifestations such as lichen planus, lupus erythematosus,
OOOOOhypersensitivity reactions, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid and pemphigus

OOOOO(Dermatology).

OOODiseases that involve the mouth and the eyes such as Sjögren’s Syndrome, pemphigoid

OOOOOerythema multiforme and Behçet’s disease (Ophthalmology).

OOODiseases that involve the mouth and the musculoskeletal system such as Sjögren’s

OOOOOSyndrome, lupus erythematosis and Behçet’s disease (Rheumatology).

OOODiseases that involve the mouth and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract such as Crohn’s

OOOOOdisease, coeliac disease and nutritional deficiency states (Gastroenterology).

OOODiseases that affect children such as orofacial granulomatosis, viral infections and

OOOOOcongenital immunodeficiencies (Paediatrics).

OOOOral manifestations of infectious diseases such as viral diseases (Human Herpes Viruses &

OOOOOHIV), tuberculosis and syphilis (Infectious diseases and Sexual Health Medicine).

OOODifferent types of facial pain and altered sensation including burning mouth syndrome
OOOOOtrigeminal neuralgia, atypical facial pain and atypical odontalgia (Neurology,

OOOOOPain Team, Liaison Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology).

OOODiseases due to adverse side effects of drugs and other materials such as those used in

OOOOOdentistry (Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Immunology).

OOOConditions where help is required with coping with the chronic, unremitting nature of

OOOOOthe symptoms (Liaison Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology).

In addition, there is also close liaison with dental colleagues to optimise oral health and reduce
the risks of premature tooth loss through either caries or periodontal disease.

Clinical management may be complex and involve use of specialist drugs that require close

monitoring.


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