Download =Article from the British Dental Journal

=Article from the British Dental Journal - Cocaine and oral health
204, 365 - 369 (2008) Published online: 12 April 2008 | doi
:10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.244
H. S. Brand, S. Gonggrijp & C. J. Blanksma
Abstract
Nasal septum perforation or palatal perforation may indicate chronic use of
cocaine.
When (recent) use of cocaine is suspected, ask the patient in a quiet
unprejudiced way and explain the potential dental consequences.
Dental treatment should be postponed after recent use of cocaine.
In the UK almost one million individuals use cocaine on a regular basis,
implying that dentists are likely to encounter individuals that use cocaine.
Regular use of this drug may have several orofacial effects, such as
perforation of the nasal septum and palate, gingival lesions and erosion of
tooth surfaces. In addition, recent use of cocaine increases the risk of a
medical emergency during dental treatment, especially when
epinephrine-containing local anaesthetics or retraction cords are used.
Therefore, dental treatment should be postponed for 6 to 24 hours after the
use of cocaine.