Question

Case #1

Your patient, Mr. Harden is a 45 year old with poorly controlled diabetes who has just completed a 10 day course of antibiotics for a sinus infection. He presents to you, his dental hygienist, complaining of altered taste sensation and mouth discomfort.   Following a clinical inspection, you observe the following curd-like material on the palatal and oropharyngeal surfaces:

1. What is the first course of treatment action in treating this patient?

2. What are the primary differences and similarities between this form of oral candidiasis and all other forms?

Answer 1

Candidiasis : This is an Opportunistic infection caused by Candida albicans. This can be seen in mouth, lips, vagina, skin teeth etc.

1. First course of treatment action for this patient with oral candidiasis is

Fluconazole Tablets orally

500 mg once in a day until gets treated.

2. Oral candidiasis are of different types.

The patient displayed in picture is with Denture Candidiasis.

Types :

• Pseudo membranous candidiasis
• Acute Atrophic Candidiasis
• Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis
• Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis
• Angular chelitis
• Denture Candidiasis

Denture Candidiasis : This is also known as Denture stomatitis , which is actually caused by some immunologic disorders, age of dentures, microbial plaque, PH of the saliva,drug therapies, allergies etc. The lesions can be seen in hard palate, cheek bones etc.

Other forms of candidiasis and differences :

Vaginal candidiasis can be seen in mothers who are pregnant, female suffering from diabetes mellitus, weakened immune system, steroidal use and HIV etc. Oral candidiasis can have same lesions what vaginal candidiasis has.But oral candidiasis is very strong comparing to vaginal candidiasis.The cluster of fungus are hard, where as vaginal candidiasis is not so strong and occurs in minor forms.