(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
YOUNG adults are taking medications that could affect long term oral health.
And dentists should be aware of the medication history of their younger patients, says a new study from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University (IU) School of Dentistry.
The study shows that many younger adult dental patients in the United States are taking medications and highlights the importance of dental providers reviewing medication histories regardless of age.
“The number of younger adults on medication really surprised us,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. Thankam Thyvalikakath, Director of the Regenstrief and IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics Program.
“Often dentists will assume individuals this age aren’t on medications, but these results underscore the importance of paying attention to medical histories of all patients, because medications can play a significant role in oral health.”
Younger adults were most likely to be taking antidepressants, which can cause dry mouth, the study shows.
“We need to be aware of these possibilities, because dry mouth increases risk for tooth decay and tooth loss, and dental professionals should be proactive with preventive measures,” said Dr. Thyvalikakath, a dentist.
The study looked at the dental records of 11,220 dental patients over the age of 18. The results showed that 53 percent of all patients reported taking at least one medication.
One in 10 or 12 percent of those age 18-24 were taking at least one medication; and 20 percent of those age 25-34 were taking at least one medication.
The study showed that older patients were more likely to be taking medications to treat chronic conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.
In the future, Dr. Thyvalikakath hopes to develop and test an intervention to alert dental care providers about medicines and medical history because a more complete picture of a person’s health can lead to better care and prevention.
“Differences in medication usage of dental patients by age, gender, race/ethnicity and insurance status” was published online ahead of print in Technology and Health Care, the official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine.
The study co-authors are Dr. Zasim Siddiqui, Yue Wang and Jay Patel of the IU School of Dentistry.
Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a key research partner to Indiana University. Regenstrief and its research scientists are responsible for a growing number of major healthcare innovations and studies.
Examples range from the development of global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communications, to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the globe.
The IU School of Dentistry is the only dental school in Indiana. About 80 percent of the dentists practicing in the state are alumni of the school.
Founded in 1879 in Indianapolis, its faculty conduct world-class interdisciplinary research in collaboration with the other IU health science schools and the Purdue Schools of Engineering and Technology and Science.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists and Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
