Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH, is a professor, course director of clinical medicine and pharmacology, and director of research at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH), A.T. Still University in Mesa, where she also teaches part-time in the Special Care Dentistry Clinic. Spolarich is a member of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Editorial Advisory Board. She can be reached at: anneshspo@aol.com.
As complications of medication use negatively impact oral comfort, function, and quality of life, clinicians should assess patients' drug regimens to determine oral health risks.
Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women, so assessment of current cardiac status and risk factors for heart disease are essential during the health history review.
Several of my patients who take bisphosphonates to treat their osteoporosis have been questioning their safety. One has asked whether calcium or vitamin D supplements provide the same benefits. How do I best advise them?