April Is Sjögren Syndrome Awareness Month

With more than 4 million Americans affected, Sjögren syndrome is a prevalent and serious chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that has deleterious effects on oral health due to its impact on salivary and lacrimal glands. The most common oral sign is xerostomia, which causes a wide range of oral complications—from increased caries risk to oral discomfort that impedes adequate nutrition.

April is Sjögren Syndrome Awareness Month, and, as oral health professionals are on the front line of diagnosing and managing oral diseases, they need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this autoimmune disease. Periodontist and former president of the American Academy of Periodontology Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS, MPH, FACD, APDC, notes, “The dental team may be the first to witness the signs and symptoms (eg, dysphagia, dystonia, oral/tongue ulcerations, taste alterations, masticatory difficulty, increased caries rate, malodor, and lip swelling) due to decreased salivary flow. Treatment should focus on: recognition; referral for medical evaluation and diagnosis; preventive care (no cure is currently available) with oral saliva substitutes, fluoride therapy, and frequent periodontal/dental maintenance; and monitor for complications (dryness in other areas such as skin, vaginal, and nose) and associated conditions of the disease such as renal complications. The dental team must also be cognizant of the many medications that impact the induction of salivary gland dysfunction, thus significantly worsening the symptoms of Sjögren syndrome.”

To increase awareness of Sjögren syndrome, the Sjögren Syndrome Foundation is posting a new patient story every day in April on its website: sjogrens.org. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene also published a continuing education article on the topic “Maintaining the Oral Health of Patients With Sjögren Syndrome” by Ava J. Wu, DDS, in its April 2018 issue available at: dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. April 2020;18(4):10.