Abstract

Mucosal ulceration, dental disease and other tooth abnormalities, oral soft
tissue tumors, periodontal disease, bone pathology, and orofacial pain may be
directly related to or confounded by underlying systemic disease. An
understanding of the relationship between systemic disease and oral pathology is
important with respect to establishing the diagnosis and determining the
complexity of subsequent management. For example, dental caries that is
confounded by nutritional deficiency or psychological problems such as bulimia or
anorexia, or a medical problem that directly or indirectly (via medication use)
causes xerostomia or dry mouth, or a medical condition that alters the patient’s
ability to maintain appropriate oral hygiene may need to be managed using a
comprehensive strategy that takes into account the underlying medical issue as
well as the dental issues. This course reviews such problems and their impact on
oral conditions.