Oral and Dental Problems in Scleroderma: New SRUK-Funded Research Aims to Improve Pathways to Oral Care

Take this short survey to share your perspectives about dental and oral care in scleroderma, and play a part in the SRUK-funded “Scleroderma in the Mouth” research project:

https://hull.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/the-mouth-in-scleroderma-improving-pathways-to-care-pati-3

Scleroderma is commonly associated with the hardening and thickening of the outer skin, but the mouth, oral cavity, and teeth can also be affected. SRUK-funded research led by Professor Liz Walker at the University of Hull and the University of Leeds is aiming to improve oral and dental outcomes in those living with scleroderma, by improving the care pathways for oral treatment.  

What problems does scleroderma in the mouth cause?

Scleroderma can lead to several health complications related to the mouth and teeth. Firstly, tightness of the skin around the mouth can lead to ‘microstomia’ (where the mouth opening shrinks in size). Besides the distress caused by an altered facial appearance, microstomia can cause difficulties with speech and eating. The mouth may also produce less saliva in scleroderma leading to dryness, which can lead to problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. This can cause serious pain and discomfort for patients and negatively impact upon an individual’s health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

‘The Scleroderma in the Mouth’ Project

There can be a lack of awareness of these issues since patients are not routinely referred to specialist dentistry until they are severely affected. Professor Walker’s ‘Scleroderma in the Mouth’ research project is seeking to address this. The team, based at the University of Hull and the University of Leeds, aspire to improve oral and dental outcomes for people living with scleroderma, by improving pathways to oral care.

Working with patients, rheumatologists, primary care dentists, and specialist dentists, the team plan to build a referral pathway tool and set of clinical guidelines which would allow for better collaboration between rheumatologists and dental professionals, and a clearer, more efficient pathway by which patients can access the necessary care. This would, in turn, enable patients to be referred from rheumatology to specialist dentistry earlier and faster, before the oral symptoms of scleroderma progress. The team also aim to increase awareness of the oral manifestations of systemic sclerosis amongst dental professionals and rheumatologists so signs of the condition can be spotted earlier, and are looking to improve understanding of self-management techniques for painful oral manifestations of scleroderma amongst patients.

Would you like to help Professor Walker in her research?

To make sure that the care pathway is relevant to patients, the research team want to explore the views of people with scleroderma, rheumatologists, and dental professionals, and use this understanding to inform their clinical referral pathway and guidelines to ensure that those with scleroderma get the best oral care possible! 

You can share your views by taking part in a short questionnaire which will ask you about your experiences of oral and dental health.

At the end of the questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to select whether you would like to take part in an optional follow-up interview which will take place at a later date and allow you to discuss your experiences with researchers in more depth. This interview is optional and will not be connected to your questionnaire data. All responses will be anonymised and confidential.

To participate or find out more please follow the link below which will re-direct you to the questionnaire hosted by the University of Hull and the participant information sheet.

https://hull.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/the-mouth-in-scleroderma-improving-pathways-to-care-pati-3