North Texas Dentistry Volume 8 Issue 1 NTD 2018 ISSUE 1 DE | Page 15

of the disease’s divergent symptoms,
pemphigus patients often consult profes-
sionals outside the dental spectrum, such
as dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and
ear, nose and throat doctors.
“I think the primary goal should be
recognition that something unusual is
going on,” Rees says. “Certainly dental
colleges often have specialists on their
faculty who are at least somewhat
familiar with these diseases and who can
help with the diagnosis and treatment.”
Dr. Nancy Burkhart, adjunct associate
professor in periodontics and a regis-
tered dental hygienist, reiterates that
getting patients to a dental school with a
stomatology center or oral pathology de-
partment is key. It’s something she un-
derstands well, as she and Rees have
counseled, supported and provided re-
sources to thousands of patients through
the college’s web-based Oral Lichen
Planus Support Group, which they
founded in 1997. Their ongoing dedica-
tion to early diagnosis and treatment of
patients with oral mucosal diseases, in-
cluding those with pemphigus and pem-
phigoid, their participation in patient
seminars, and their efforts to expand the
knowledge of these diseases among den-
tal professionals recently earned them
the 2017 Professional of the Year Award
from the International Pemphigus and
Pemphigoid Foundation. Among other
initiatives, the organization offers an an-
nual meeting for patients and caregivers
and even free continuing education pro-
grams for dental professionals.
Then healing can begin on multiple
fronts.
“The medications that are used are key
in stabilizing and controlling these dis-
eases, but providing emotional support
for any mucosal disease is also very cru-
cial,” Burkhart says. “Patients often be-
come discouraged because they may
have seen multiple practitioners without
an accurate diagnosis. When they get a
complete diagnosis, they become much
more involved in their own health care.”
Strong, like many patients, responded to
a mix of immunosuppressants, but a vast
array of treatment options is available.
She no longer needs active treatment on
an ongoing basis but still monitors lesion
flare-ups just in case. Strong avoids acidic
or alcohol-containing mouth rinses like
the plague, and she sticks only to bland
toothpaste and soft-bristled tooth-
brushes, such as the UltraSuave Red
Brush, less likely to create lesions. Since
avoiding dry mouth is crucial for these
patients, Rees and Burkhart often rec-
ommend gel products such as
MighTeaFlow, with green tea extract as
the key ingredient, and Xerostom, which
utilizes olive oil extract.
Strong lives with the reality that relapse
is a possibility, but with a diagnosis and
medical team now in place, feelings of
desperation are kept at bay.
“I’m left with the hope that sharing my
story with you could one day help one of
your patients,” Strong said during her
presentation. “Dentists can help reduce
fear and anxiety by giving clear, concise
information.
“There is a whole patient wrapped around
the mouth. Compassion is key.”
Texas A&M College of Dentistry (formerly Baylor
College of Dentistry) in Dallas is a part of Texas A&M
University and Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Founded in 1905, the College of Dentistry is a na-
tionally recognized center for oral health sciences
education, research, specialized patient care and
continuing dental education. Learn more at den-
tistryinsider.tamhsc.edu or follow @TAMUdental.
Jennifer Fuentes is a communications coordinator
at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. A 2006 graduate
of Texas Christian University, she has worked in the
communications and editorial field for 10 years.
Rees and Burkhart hope that the more
knowledgeable dentists are of the au-
toimmune condition, the more apt they’ll
be to refer patients to the specialists who
can help them. The faster patients can
get to these professionals, the sooner
they can complete necessary testing — in
most all cases, a biopsy with histopatho-
logical evaluation and special stain plus
immunofluorescence studies will be per-
formed — and the sooner a diagnosis can
be reached; in some cases, as early as
two weeks.
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