Oral health considerations in muscular dystrophies

Abstract

Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a heterogeneous group of inherited neuromuscular disorders characterized by muscle necrosis and progressive muscle weakness. It is important for oral healthcare providers to be familiar with MD as special considerations are necessary to provide appropriate and safe dental care for these medically complex patients. This article briefly reviews the more common types of MD, namely, Duchenne MD, Becker MD, Emery-Dreifuss MD, facioscapulo-humeral MD, limb-girdle MD, oculopharyngeal MD, and myotonic dystrophy. Aspects of their epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and medical management as well as oral health considerations are discussed. © 2008 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.