Management of the oral side effects caused by medication use is an ongoing challenge for dental hygienists. Oral side effects cause client discomfort, and may interfere with the client's ability to adequately chew, swallow and digest food. Some oral side effects place the client at risk for oral trauma, while others contribute to infection, pain and possible tooth loss. Dental hygienists need to accurately diagnose these oral conditions in order to recommend appropriate treatment interventions. Timely recognition and professional interventions are necessary to improve client comfort and function. Common oral side effects of medications are summarized in Figure 4.
