Drug abuse identification and pain management in dental patients: a case study and literature review
Hussain, F.; Frare, R.W.; Py Berrios, K.L.
General Dentistry 60(4): 334-45; Quiz 346-7
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0363-6771 PMID: 22782046 Document Number: 661542
Properly identifying patients with a history of drug abuse is the first step in providing effective dental care. Dental professionals need to be fully aware of the challenges associated with treating this population. In the current study, the authors analyzed the physical and oral manifestations of illicit drug abuse to aid in the identification of patients who abuse drugs and the pain management strategies needed to treat them. The authors also present a clinical case of a patient with unique skin lesions and discuss the typical clinical findings of drug abuse based on a literature review.