RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Methadone and Oral Health – A Brief Review
JF American Dental Hygienists Association
JO J Dent Hyg
FD American Dental Hygienists Association
SP 92
OP 98
VO 85
IS 2
A1 Mario Brondani
A1 Peter Earl Park
YR 2011
UL http://jdh.adha.org/content/85/2/92.abstract
AB Purpose: Methadone is a prescription drug used to help individuals overcome withdraws from highly addictive illicit substances, such as heroin, but it has detrimental oral health effects. This manuscript reviews the oral health manifestations of methadone maintenance therapy, and considers its implications to oral care. It hopes to raise awareness among health care professionals, regulating bodies and the population at large about the oral side effects of methadone, the implications for dental treatment and considerations to better enhance the oral health of methadone users. The role of professional teams, particularly dentists and dental hygienists, is illustrated. This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Health promotion and disease prevention: Investigate how environmental factors (culture, socioeconomic status-SES, education) influence oral health behaviours