General dentists are the primary care providers of the dental profession. As a result, they are at the forefront in encountering the range of circumstances for which patients seek dental care. To provide the best care, dentists must sometimes interface with other disciplines. Although dental treatment should be based on scientific principles, it should not be forgotten that a person is attached to every tooth. Here, a case is presented in which a patient's observance of orthodox Jewish law was a factor in her dental treatment.

Adult↗

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Tongue piercing: a concern for the dentist.

"Body art" is a relatively recent fashion in the western world, but appears to be gaining in popularity. It involves tattooing, scarification, and the wearing of jewelry in unconventional places on the body. This article discusses one form of "body art"--tongue piercing. The presence of metal jewelry in the oral cavity presents oral hygiene problems, as well as the risk of the development of undesirable sequelae. It may become the responsibility of the dentist to advise the patient on the care and maintenance of this jewelry, and to treat complications.

Adult↗