Anemia: Considerations for the Dental Practitioner
Georges Aoun
*
Department of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Pamela Aoun
Food Technology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon and Private Practice of Clinical Nutrition, Beirut, Lebanon.
Wissam Sharrouf
Department of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abbass El-Outa
Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Anemia is a condition of decreased red blood cell number or hemoglobin concentration, or of disturbance in their function, ultimately leading to decreased oxygen transport to tissues. Many factors and diseases may lead to anemia, with wide manifestations systemically as well as orally. Therefore, a sound understanding of this condition is essential for the dental practitioner, with emphasis on alerting signs, dental management and proper communication with patient’s physician.
Keywords: Anemia, dental, management, oral manifestations