[Risk patients].

Abstract

New modalities of treatment and new drugs have increased potential life spans, but have also presented greater responsibilities to the dentist for properly managing an increased geriatric patient group. These changes create a need for updating of our knowledge within general medicine and pharmacotherapy. As a health care professional, the dentist have the obligation to maintain standards of health care and professionalism. Different cardiovascular, hematologic, hormonal and nervrological diseases and patients with allergic disposition are discussed. Additionally, problems with transmitted oral diseases and patients undergone irradiation to the maxillofacial region are briefly commented. Finally, the difference between a syncope and anaphylactic or cardiac shock based on simple evaluation of signs and symptoms and the need of immediate treatment are listed.