CPD

• Dry mouth affects approximately 22% of the adult population.
• Dry mouth may be xerostomia or salivary gland hypofunction, with little crossover of the two entities.
• The aetiology of salivary gland hypofunction is largely attributable to systemic diseases and iatrogenic causes.
• Management of dry mouth is largely symptomatic.
• Encourage patients to seek regular dental care to maintain their dentition.
• Refer patients to an oral medicine specialist to assist in diagnosis and management.

Psoriasis is a systemic disease, associated with an increased risk of various co-morbidities, low quality of life and high prevalence of psychological difficulties.¹ Despite these facts, the condition is less than optimally treated, reflected in high levels of patient dissatisfaction with therapy results.¹

Psoriasis occurs in many forms, but by far the most common type of psoriasis is the chronic plaque type (up to 90% of presentations), also known as psoriasis vulgaris or chronic plaque psoriasis.² It is prevalent in up to 2-3% of the adult population.²