Mobius syndrome: a dental hygiene case study and review of the literature

Mobius syndrome, a rare, non-progressive, congenital neuromuscular disorder, presents with multiple dental and medical complications. Signs and symptoms of this condition include: congenital, bilateral or unilateral palsies of the facial and abducens cranial nerves (cardinal sign), and a broad scope of multisystem abnormalities, which may or may not include the following: opthalmoplegia externa, lingual palsy, clubfoot, branchial malformation, ptosis, mental retardation, and pectoralis muscle defect. From a dental standpoint, a number of anomalies may manifest, including: multiple congenitally missing teeth (both deciduous and permanent), micrognathia, paralysis and hypoplasia of the tongue, absence of facial expression and weakness of the palate. This article reviews the case study of a 40-year-old male client with Mobius syndrome, dental hygiene diagnosis (DHDx) and intervention, and the dental hygienists' responsibility and role in care.