The Etiology of Xerostomia
The Etiology of Xerostomia
By Kaitlin Stier, RDH, MPH and Lisa B. Stefanou, RDH, MPH
Dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to detect xerostomia. Part of the dental hygiene process of care is to provide thorough intra- and extraoral examinations. They typically see their patients at least two times per year, putting them at the forefront of patients’ oral health care needs. Dental hygienists must be able to recognize the signs of xerostomia in order to educate patients of the potential causes and implications and provide recommendations for symptom relief.
Responses