Rheumatology

Question 1

Your patient comes into your surgery and has rheumatoid arthritis, she is unable to move herself into the dental chair. What are ways which she can be assisted into the chair ?

Answer 1

Hoist.
Turn table.
Transfer boards.

Question 2

What is the dentist’s responsibility in providing care for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis ?

Answer 2

Disability and one of 9 protected characteristics, therefore, dentist has a duty to provide quality healthcare to all patients and are expected to make reasonable adjustments where practicable to help the patient.

Question 3

What is a relevant piece of legislation to patients with rheumatoid arthritis ?

Answer 3

Equality Act 2010.

Question 4

What type of drug is methotrexate ?

Answer 4

Antimetabolite - immunosuppressive drug.

Question 5

What are dental impacts of methotrexate ?

Answer 5

Risk of opportunistic infections.
Burning mouth.
Mouth ulceration.

Question 6

What type of drug is diclofenac ? What is it used for ?

Answer 6

Potent NSAID - to treat pain.

Question 7

What are the dental side effects of diclofenac ?

Answer 7

No need for prescribing further analgesia.
Prolonged bleeding and healing time.

Question 8

What type of drug is prednisolone ? What is it used for ?

Answer 8

Corticosteroid - to reduce inflammation.

Question 9

What is rheumatoid arthritis ?

Answer 9

Autoimmune condition where immune cells mistakenly attack tissues lining the joint causing inflammation, pain and limited movement.

Question 10

What is osteoporosis ?

Answer 10

Systemic progressive disorder of bone remodelling regulation within the body causing low bone mass, therefore increasing fracture risk.