Medical History Mysteries: Dentistry and the respiratory system
I have a patient with respiratory issues. What do I need to find out from them before launching into dental treatment?
Dr. Tom Viola and I are continuing our coverage of a systems-based medical history. We’ve talked about cardiovascular disease, diabetes, GI disorders, and depression and mental illness. Now, we’ll take a look at respiratory diseases—specifically asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In this episode of Medical History Mysteries, we’ll talk about the similarities and differences between asthma and COPD, what questions we need to ask before we provide treatment, the dental implications we need to be aware of and how to address them, as well as the importance of educating the entire dental team.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.
Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, is the chief editor of Dental Economics and editorial codirector of Through the Loupes. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected].