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Duchenne muscular dystrophy — a dental healthcare program
Author(s) -
MielnikBlaszczak Prof. Maria,
Malgorzata Borowska
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2007.tb00323.x
Subject(s) - medicine , muscle contracture , spinal muscular atrophy , duchenne muscular dystrophy , muscular dystrophy , disease , degeneration (medical) , atrophy , physical therapy , progressive muscular atrophy , neuromuscular disease , pediatrics , pathology , surgery , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetically determined disease. The chief characteristic of this clinical syndrome is a progressive degeneration of particular groups of muscles. Initially there is physical impairment, contractures, and muscular atrophy. Subsequently, the disease immobilizes the patient (ages 9 to 14 years) and severe respiratory failure occurs due to chest and vertebral column deformity. We present principies for the dental care of patients with DMD. It is important to introduce dental and prophylactic treatment at a very early age for children with DMD.