The family physician frequently makes decisions relating to patients'
dental health. The physician can address patients' concerns about toot
h eruption or the adverse effects of mercury amalgam. Predisposing fac
tors for dental disease, such as use of certain medications, existing
medical conditions (e.g., xerostomia) and traumatic injury, often are
first noted by the family physician. Dental emergencies, including abs
cess and avulsion, can be initially managed by the physician and then
referred to the dentist. The physician can coordinate care with a dent
ist when a patient has dental trauma, requires medical management for
a dental procedure or has a medical condition that increases the likel
ihood of dental disease.