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Recognition and management of drug-associated oral ulceration: a review

British Dental Journal volume 233, pages 564–568 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

The number of people who are using prescribed medications is on the rise, largely due to an ageing population in the UK, but also because of early diagnosis and prompt medical management of a variety of conditions. Systemic medications may contribute to the development of oral side effects and translate into an increasing number of patients presenting in general dental practice settings. The aim of this paper is to provide an outline of oral side effects of systemic medications followed by a review of drug-associated oral ulcers (DAOUs). The paper also provides recommendations for early recognition and management of DAOUs in general dental practice settings, including referral to general medical practitioners and specialists in oral medicine.

Key points

  • Reviews oral side effects of systemic medications.

  • Summarises the causes and presentation of drug-associated oral ulceration.

  • Outlines the principles of the management of drug-associated oral ulceration in general dental practice settings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Oral Surgery, Qatar University College of Dental Medicine, Qatar; Honorary Professor of Dental Education, Plymouth University, UK

    Kamran Ali

  2. Research Assistant, Qatar University, Qatar

    Mahwish Raja & Safa Osman

  3. Associate Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

    Gulraiz Zulfiqar

  4. Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Omer Janjua

Authors
  1. Kamran Ali
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  2. Mahwish Raja
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  3. Safa Osman
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  4. Gulraiz Zulfiqar
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  5. Omer Janjua
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Contributions

Kamran Ali was responsible for the review and final drafting of the manuscript. Mahwish Raja drafted the introduction. Safa Osman carried out the literature review. Omer Janjua and Gulraiz Zulfiqar contributed images for the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kamran Ali.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Ali, K., Raja, M., Osman, S. et al. Recognition and management of drug-associated oral ulceration: a review. Br Dent J 233, 564–568 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5032-x

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