Printable format	E-mail article:	Search news:

By Craig Palmer

Washington—"Meth mouth" patients present with complex management and treatment obstacles, Dr. Bob Brandjord told congressional staffers at a Capitol Hill briefing on oral health and methamphetamine use, a growing public health issue.

	Briefing: Dr. Brandjord speaks to congressional staff about the oral health effects of methamphetamine abuse Sept. 12. (Photo by Bill Geiger)

"Meth mouth robs people, especially young people, of their teeth," the ADA president said, "frequently leading to full mouth extractions and dentures." Meth mouth is characterized by rampant caries and teeth described by meth users as "blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart."

Dr. Brandjord described with clinical illustration the harmful effects on oral health of methamphetamine dependence. It was the ADA's second educational briefing on Capitol Hill this year, Dr. Brandjord addressing a Senators' National Town Hall Meeting Jan. 23 (ADA News Today Jan. 24, Dr. Brandjord briefs senators on dental impact of meth abuse) and House of Representatives staff Sept. 12.

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash) co-chairs the 145-member Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, which invited the ADA presentation to demonstrate "the importance dentistry plays" in treating the oral ravages of methamphetamine use. Rep. Larsen is a former public affairs director for the Washington State Dental Association. His congressional Web site  links to the House meth caucus Web site.

Dr. Brandjord offered the congressional staff members access to ADA meth mouth resources for patients and dentists at ADA.org. Rep. Larsen urged the young staff aides for members of Congress, "If your boss isn't already a member of the meth caucus, talk to him or her."

Methamphetamine-related tooth decay, or meth mouth, is becoming a visible public health issue because of its toll on users' health, its impact on dental treatment decisions and its effect on state and local prison budgets.