Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Methadone and oral health--a brief review
Mario Brondani1, Peter Earl Park
1University of British Columbia, Department of Community Dentistry.
Purpose:
Methadone is a prescription drug used to help individuals overcome withdraws from highly addictive illicit substances, such as heroin, but it has detrimental oral health effects. This manuscript reviews the oral health manifestations of methadone maintenance therapy, and considers its implications to oral care. It hopes to raise awareness among health care professionals, regulating bodies and the population at large about the oral side effects of methadone, the implications for dental treatment and considerations to better enhance the oral health of methadone users. The role of professional teams, particularly dentists and dental hygienists, is illustrated.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
The Oral Microbiota
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Analgesia and Pain Management
