The negative impact of the pharmaceutical prescription medications on the Dental Heath of Patients is undisputable. A lack of monitoring of dental diseases caused by the prescription drugs further aggravates this issue. A global database of prescription medications & related dental health issues will shed light on unintended consequences on Dental Health and possible solutions. Primary dental health education in conjunction with routine preventive dental diagnostics & sealants programs using Mobile Dental Coaches/Trailers can improve the Dental Health of children globally. Non-Government organizations like the World Bank, Accordia Global Health Foundation & the UN foundation to name a few can help implement Dental Health Programs for children globally.

The Dental providers interested in creating a Dental service program using Mobile Dental Clinic Coach or Trailer will require an uninterrupted flow of funds after the initial investment and planning expenses. Besides the usual resources like the Governments and financial institutions there are Non-Government Organizations involved in providing leadership on global dental/health issues. See the attachment for names of some of these Non-Government Organizations and what they do.

Medical issues, treatments and prescribed medications can cause Dental problems. We will discuss a very specific Dental issue called Dry mouth. Dry Mouth is also referred to as Cotton mouth or Xerostomia and it is caused by many prescription medications. In fact, some Medications have dry mouth as a side effects and it is the #1 cause of Dry Mouth. For example, Psychiatric medications such as Imipramine HCL used for depression has a possible side effect of Dry Mouth.

Dry Mouth is found among people who take Simvastatin, especially for people who are 60 plus years old, and have been taking the drug for < 1 month, also taking Aspirin, and medication for high blood pressure.

Dental Patients should inform dentist if he/she is taking Losartan. Why?, Because It may cause severe or persistent Dry Mouth.

Note that the relationship between the above medications and Dry Mouth is not a medical opinion. Contact Physicians for Medical help.

Dry Mouth symptoms may include dryness in the mouth, bad breath, chapped lips or waking up at night feeling thirsty. It can also make eating difficult because saliva helps you taste, chew & digest food. Without enough saliva, simply eating a meal can become a challenge. Saliva maintains oral pH balance and tooth integrity, has antimicrobial properties, assists in speaking & swallowing, prevents dehydration, and helps protect the mouth’s soft tissue. Dry mouth can impact oral health. If left untreated Dry mouth can cause Cavities & Mouth infections.

One Dental Professional provides an interesting explanation for a novice. He says that think of the inside of your mouth like a Car wash, without Saliva, there isn’t any water to keep the Cars (Teeth) clean. This Dry mouth causes plaque & food to stick to the teeth surface, which can lead to cavities on the teeth & inflammation and infection of the gum tissues. Dry mouth can affect the gums and increase the risk for Gingivitis (Gum Disease) & Periodontal disease, tooth decay and mouth infections such as THRUSH. Medications reduce Saliva.

• Medications, Dehydration, Weather, Low humidity levels, Dry air can shrink mucous membranes & leave you parched. A sugar filled diet, & sloppy oral hygiene will lead to tooth decay and rot along the gum line, this will result in reduced Saliva Production beneath the tongue causing Dry mouth.
• Nerve damage that occurs with severe injury to the neck or head can also harm the nerves of the Saliva glands and the nerves don’t send clear message to the glands to produce Saliva & Dry mouth can occur.
• Diabetes is often a result of chronic Dry mouth, which occurs when blood sugars are high & uncontrolled Diabetes.
• A dry mouth and nose may be an early warning sign of an associated Autoimmune Disease.

Lack of proper access to dental care leads to a very expensive emergency room care which is also an inefficient source of dental care. Patients visiting the emergency rooms for Dental issues receive, in most cases, prescription medications in lieu of dental diagnostics or procedures. Ironically, the same prescription medications may cause Dry Mouth adding to the dental problem that the patient came for help in the first place. All these emergency room visits for Dental Care can be avoided by early Dental Care Education, access to a tooth brush, tooth paste, dental floss, and a proper sugar free diet and the dental Preventive Care. Proper dental service either from a fixed Dental Clinic or a Mobile Dental Coach/Trailer located across the Major Metropolis and Underserved areas can reduce the cumulative cost of the dental service for the community at large.

Attachment:

NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.

• WORLD BANK, a vital source of financial & technical assistance to developing countries around the world to fight poverty, including making investments to improve Medical & Dental health.
• WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations System, responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, including shaping the health research agenda.
• Accordia Global Health works within African Medical Centers to develop lasting institutional leadership and pave the way for stronger African health system.
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy productive lives.

UN Foundation links UN’s work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and NON-ORGANIZATIONS to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, children’s health, peace and security and poverty eradication.

• Dental Care- Assistance is coordinated by a National non-profit, & free dental programs are provided by thousands of dentists as part of the Dental Lifetime Network and other charities.

Contact us at kbconsultants1958@gmail.com for help or a Price Quotation including a CAD Drawing & Terms for Mobile Dental Coach and Trailer .