Managing Dry Mouth: The Role of Saliva, 2nd Edition
Course Overview
The oral and general health of individuals is determined by, and dependent on, an adequate salivary flow. Salivary clearance is essential to reducing the cariogenic potential of foodstuffs as well as providing a mechanism for remineralization of dental enamel after minor assaults such as ingestion of acidic foods and beverages (Allhajj and Babos, 2023) This course addresses dry mouth, referred to as xerostomia (Poudel, et.al. 2023; Talha and Swarnkar, 2023) Xerostomia is not a disease unto itself but may be a symptom of a disease or a side effect of medical treatment (Wynn, et.al, 2024). It is also a common daily condition among the patient population older than age 65 (Jacob, et.al, 2022).
Although not life-threatening, dry mouth can produce serious negative effects on the patient’s quality of life. These effects may include changes in dietary habits and subsequent nutritional status, difficulty with speech, a decrease in taste, intolerance to removable dental prostheses, and an increased susceptibility to dental caries (American Dental Association, 2026; Talha and Swarnkar, 2023).
This basic-level course describes the role that saliva plays in general and dental health, as well as the causes and consequences of compromised salivary production. Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants will gain an understanding of the scope of this problem and increase their ability to identify and manage this condition and educate their patients about an at-home oral hygiene regimen that can minimize the adverse oral effects of chronic xerostomia.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the composition and functions of saliva.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of dry xerostomia.
- Identify potential causes of xerostomia.
- Describe the dental management and treatment of dry mouth.
About the Author/Presenter
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985 and fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994. He has been in private practice for 16 years, with the balance involved in correctional (county jail) dentistry, from which he retired in 2023. In 2007, he received the Certified Correctional HealthCare Professional (CCHP) designation from the National Commission of Correctional Healthcare. He has authored and edited many dental continuing education courses and has given presentations on varied topics to local, regional, and national audiences. He has been an examiner for the dental and dental hygiene licensure exams for the Northeastern Regional Boards (NERBS), now the American Board of Dental Examiners, since 1994. He has also reviewed standard-of-care cases for the state of Florida and for private companies.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions select your profession for details):
Dental AGD Code: 730
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