28 June 2008
Daniel E. Jolly DDS, Ruth
B. Paulson DDS, George
W. Paulson MD, Jon A.
Pike DDS
Parkinson's disease is one of a group of extra pyramidal
diseases characterized by rigidity and tremor. The disease affects
about 1 million persons in this country, and is most common in persons
older than 55.
Parkinson's is disabling and usually progresses from mild
to severe, often in less than a decade, and may preclude an individual
from accomplishing many activities of daily living, even with current
drug therapy. In addition to problems caused by age, dental
complications arise from the inability of the individual with
Parkinson's to accomplish routine oral hygiene, from changes in salivary
flow and due to dysfunction in swallowing.
Dental management of
individuals with Parkinson's is a multifaceted challenge involving areas
of preventive, restorative, and prosthetic dentistry. Support is also
required for the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of this common
progressive disorder.
