Calcified facial and maxillary arteries: Incidental radiographic findings indicative of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by dystrophic calcifications within the tunica media of small- and medium-sized arteries, leading to reduced arterial compliance. The authors report a case discovered incidentally on dental radiographs. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 78-year-old man with a complex medical history was seen for routine oral health care. Panoramic and bite-wing radiographs revealed a tortuous, linear calcification in the area of the left mandibular first molar anterior to the angle of the mandible and suggestive of a calcified facial artery. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Medical radiologists have used the presence of arterial calcifications to determine the severity and prognosis of such diseases as primary hyperparathyroidism, secondary hyperparathyroidism, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. The presence of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis on dental radiographs can help oral health care professionals identify patients with undiagnosed systemic disease.

Using the web to increase access to oral health care for patients with special health care needs in South Carolina: A replicable model.

AIM: To create an accessible web-based resource of providers willing to provide dental services for patients with special health care needs (SCHNs). METHODS: With a grant from The Duke Endowment, surveys were sent to dentists in South Carolina RESULTS: Data showed that the majority of providers expressed willingness to treat patients with one or more mild SHCN, but fewer expressed willingness to treat those with one or more moderate or severe SHCN. Additionally, the data showed that among general practitioners specifically, only one-third were willing to treat mild and moderate/severe manifestations of all categories listed. The number of practitioners willing to treat moderate to severe manifestations of SHCN and accept Medicaid and willing to take new Medicaid patients dropped even further. These results demonstrated a need to increase the number of providers in South Carolina who are willing to treat patients with SHCN, and a need to provide an accessible resource for patients with SHCN to be able to find these providers. Data collected populated the web-based resource for the Special Adult Network of Dentists url:www.sandsc.org1 CONCLUSION: This resource may be used by patients, caregivers, and health care providers and could be replicated in other states or designed as a national resource.