dentistry in the news

Regular Check-Ups - More than just Dental Health

Patient who suffer from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or other binge eating disorders will often exhibit signs and symptoms in and around the oral cavity. Through regular dental exams, dentists are able to aid in the early detection of these diseases that otherwise might go unnoticed and eventually cause irreversible damage to the patient's body and teeth.

Dentists may also be the first people to recognize an increasingly common phenomenon - elder abuse. Elder abuse by their caregivers can take the form of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and financial abuse. Elderly patients are often reluctant to admit any indiscretions suffered at the hand of their caregivers for fear of reprisal or out of shame. Seniors often have an established rapport with their dental care providers who are in a unique position to recognize signs of abuse and can use this relationship to help uncover instances of inappropriate behavior by a caregiver.

back to news