Medical Health Professionals

Assess Your Oral Health Risk

• Oral Health Risk Assessment Tool (PDF)
• Oral Health Risk Assessment Tool Guidance (PDF)
• Fluoride Varnish Benefits (PDF)

Online Fluoride Varnish Application Instructions

• National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center Fluoride Varnish Application Video

Oral Health Education and Terms

Meth Mouth

• Definition: The term "Meth Mouth" describes the state of tooth decay that is caused from using methamphetamines. Frequent use of methamphetamines can cause one to neglect their mouth for long periods of time. It often leaves a person's teeth looking black, rotten or brittle which puts them at high risk of losing all their teeth.
• For more detailed information visit www.mitchtv.net
• One page document that is excellent in summarizing meth mouth: www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_55.pdf

Oral Cancer

• Definition: Oral cancer is on the increase. Smoking, poor diet, alcohol consumption and oral sex put one at a higher risk. To learn more about Oral cancer please visit the following resources.
• To learn more about the HPV connection to Oral Cancer see: http://oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/index.htm
• www.health.utah.gov/ucan/Related%20Links/Cancer%20Specific%20Resources/Oral%20Cancer/selfexam.pdf
• www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/topics/cancer.htm

Tobacco, Alcohol and Smokeless Tobacco

• Definition: Alcohol, Tobacco use and Smokeless Tobacco (Chew or spit tobacco) use cause oral cancer.
• For more information on tobacco prevention visit www.tobaccofreeutah.org/

Diabetes

• From the ADHA (American Dental Hygiene Association) website: Symptoms of diabetes disease often appear in the mouth, while almost one-third of people with diabetes have severe periodontal disease. This is believed to be a result of the diabetic patient's greater susceptibility to developing infections. Conversely, severe periodontal disease may increase the risk of developing diabetes, and may make it more difficult to manage blood sugar levels. However, studies have found that patients who receive treatment for periodontal disease may be able to control the condition with less insulin.
  For more information on how Diabetes affects the mouth see www.adha.org/downloads/factsheets/diabetes.pdf
• Diabetes Dental Tips (PDF in English) and Diabetes Dental Tips (PDF in Spanish)
• www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Diabetes/DiabetesDentalTips.htm
• www.health.utah.gov/diabetes/aboutdiabetes/hlthconcerns.htm#13
• www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Diabetes/

Special Healthcare Needs

• Definition: Often individuals with developmental or physical disabilities,(e.g. Autism, Wheelchair bound, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and other mild or moderate disabilities) require specialized or adjusted care from dental care providers and care givers, in order to obtain and maintain a healthy mouth. For more information go to www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DevelopmentalDisabilities/.