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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Myasthenia gravis: a review for dental hygienists
1School of Dental Hygiene, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. MSltolle@odu.edu
Abstract:
Myasthenia Gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease causing fluctuating weakness in the voluntary muscles, leads to various degrees of neurological dysfunction. Typically exhibiting a slow but progressive course, the disease may become fatal when muscles of respiration fail. Appropriate dental hygiene management of patients with this disorder is contingent upon an understanding of disease etiology, clinical characteristics, pharmacological interventions as well as oral manifestations. With this information, dental hygienists will be better prepared to provide safe and effective treatment to patients with MG and may prevent a life threatening crisis from developing during dental hygiene care.
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