Huntington's Disease and Dentistry: A Review of Its Etiology, Clinical Presentation, Symptomatic Pharmacotherapy, and Dental Management.

AIMS

Patients with Huntington's Disease (HD) seeking dental care often present with poor oral health. Dentists often report that few protocols exist and there is a lack of understanding on how to manage these patients in the dental office. The aim of this review is to discuss the etiology and pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of this condition primarily from the dental perspective.

METHODS

A detailed literature review was conducted including articles searched on PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria prioritized studies based on relevance to oral care and HD with topics including caregiver-assisted oral hygiene, fluoride, dental preventative approaches, and case studies.

RESULTS

Research reveals the significant oral health issues patients with HD suffer from including dysphagia, xerostomia, and a high caries risk. Studies illustrate the need for tailored care emphasizing long term treatment planning, preventive, and clinically relevant approaches.

CONCLUSION

This review presents the importance of a proactive, multidisciplinary strategy to dental care in HD patients. Early preventive strategies can greatly postpone the decline of oral health in this population. Future studies should focus on a conclusive dental care guideline, caregiver education initiatives, and improving access to care in this patient population.