Anzany Tania Dwi Putri1, Siti Sarah2, Elvina Sutopo3

Oral Medicine Specialist, Drug Rehabilitation Center, National Narcotics Board, Indonesia

Physician, Drug Rehabilitation Center, National Narcotics Board, Indonesia

Psychiatrist, Drug Rehabilitation Center, National Narcotics Board, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Xerostomia is commonly reported as a complaint from dental patients. Many factors contribute to its presence, including medication use, chronic disease, and psychogenic conditions. The strong association between xerostomia and extensive dental caries and oral infections has been discussed in several studies. Here we report a case of xerostomia related to various medical issues in a patient who was undergoing six-month rehabilitation program.

Case Presentation: A 45-year-old male patient with a history of multiple substance abuse, HIV positive, Hepatitis C, and schizoaffective disorder presented with the main complaint of an excessively dry mouth for the last two months. An oral examination revealed poor oral hygiene with a coating of debris on the tongue, fissures in corners of the lips, little saliva, shiny oral mucosa, multiple carious lesions and missing teeth. The patient was given oral hygiene instruction, asked to increase daily fluid intake, use 0.9% sodium chloride mouthwash every two hours daily, and scheduled to receive weekly dental treatments.

Discussion: Proliferation of HIV-infected CD8+ cells and infiltration of HCV into the salivary glands, drug-induced vasoconstriction, and the consumption of numerous medications that inhibit saliva production were likely to be associated with the patient's xerostomia.

Conclusion: Comprehensive treatment involving teamworking between the dentist, the physicians, and the patient is needed in such cases in order to obtain a good result.