Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders in Primary Care.

Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs) encompass an array of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint instability and chronic pain. Fatigue and other systemic symptoms that affect daily functioning may occur, as well. Accurate data on incidence and prevalence of HSDs is hampered by lack of awareness of these conditions and the wide heterogeneity of their clinical presentation.

Oral health: dentures and dental implants.

More than 35 million Americans have lost all of their teeth, and 178 million are missing at least one tooth. Left unmanaged, tooth loss, or edentulism, can lead to nutritional deficiencies, oral pain, and poor psychosocial functioning. The family physician may be the first clinician to discuss tooth loss as a health concern with the patient.

Oral health: orthodontic treatment.

Improper tooth alignment due to crowding, malocclusion, and missing teeth can cause difficulties with eating and speech, and premature wear. It is estimated that more than 20% of children would benefit from orthodontic treatment to correct these conditions, many of which will persist into adulthood if not corrected. Orthodontic care is gaining popularity among adults for similar concerns, as well as for correction of cosmetic issues.

Oral health: treatment of dental trauma and pain.

Dental trauma is common among adults and children. As children become mobile, they frequently experience trauma to their primary teeth because of falls. Injuries to permanent teeth are common results of falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and violence.

Oral health: prevention of dental disease.

Good oral health is integral to optimum overall health. Unfortunately, almost one-fourth of the US population has untreated dental caries, and most individuals do not seek or have access to regular dental care. Untreated dental disease can cause or exacerbate chronic medical conditions, lead to unnecessary pain, and increase costs to the medical system.