Clinicians Should Consider Medication Histories, Regardless of Patient Age

Younger adult dental patients are taking medications that could affect their long-term oral health, according to a study from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University of Dentistry. These findings highlight the importance of dental providers reviewing patients’ medication histories, regardless of age.

After analyzing the dental records of 11,220 dental patients over the age of 18, researchers found 53% of all patients reported taking at least one medication. Of those patients ages 18 to 24, 12% were taking at least one medication, and 20% or those ages 25 to 34 were taking at least one medication.

“The number of younger adults on medication really surprised us,” said senior author Thankam Thyvalikakath, DMD, PhD, director of the Regenstrief and IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics Program in a Regenstrief Institute news story. “Often dentists will assume individuals this age aren’t on medications, but these results underscore the importance of paying attention to medical histories of all patients, because medications can play a significant role in oral health.”

According to the study, younger adults were more likely to be taking antidepressants, and older adults were more likely to be taking medications for chronic conditions. Read the full story here.