Disorders of White Blood Cells
Definition Disorders of white blood cells (WBCs) in dental patients can substantially influence clinical decision making as well as the delivery of care because WBCs constitute the primary defense against…
Disorders of Red Blood Cells
Definition Disorders of the red blood cells (RBCs) are of clinical importance in dental practice for several reasons. First, the dentist serves an important role in detecting patients with previously…
Acquired Bleeding and Hypercoagulable Disorders
Definition A number of procedures that are performed in dentistry may cause bleeding. Under normal circumstances, these procedures can be performed with little clinical risk; however, in patients whose ability…
Rheumatologic Disorders
Definition Rheumatologic (or rheumatoid) disorders include much more than “arthritis” and encompass a large group (nearly 100) of disorders that affect bones, joints, and muscles. Arthritis is a nonspecific term…
AIDS, HIV Infection, and Related Conditions
Definition On June 5, 1981, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported five cases of Pneumocystis carinii (now jiroveci ) pneumonia in young homosexual men in Los…
Women’s Health Issues
Definition Women’s health is altered by pregnancy and by diseases unique to female anatomy and physiology. This chapter focuses on common conditions of women that require recognition and management by…
Adrenal Insufficiency
The adrenal glands are small (6–8 g) endocrine glands located bilaterally at the superior pole of each kidney. Each gland contains an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The adrenal medulla…
Gastrointestinal Disease
Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as peptic ulcer disease (PUD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pseudomembranous colitis are common and may affect the delivery of dental care. These patients can have…
Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes bronchitis and emphysema, and chronic lower respiratory disease (COPD and asthma), are common pulmonary diseases that cause obstruction in airflow. They are discussed…
Neurologic Disorders
Neurologic diseases are common in the general population, and they will become even more common as the population ages. Therefore, dental patients will regularly present with neurologic conditions. Several diseases…
