Watch Your Mouth – Inmate Dental Issues
Meth Mouth
Unlike almost any other specialty area, correctional nurses get involved with dental issues. Whether during intake assessment or as a sick call request, we must initiate treatment and referral for a variety of oral conditions. It is important to determine which are emergencies requiring an immediate dental evaluation and which can await a standard dental visit.
Meth Mouth and other Drug Issues
Generally speaking any substance abuse is not good for mouth health. Drug abusers are not focused on dental care and often don’t even notice tooth pain until they are in jail and withdrawing. Mouth infections or abscesses can go on without notice while they have access to the drugs.
Meth mouth is a particularly unattractive mouth condition brought on by the common circumstances of methamphetamine use. The drug decreases the production of saliva, a natural tooth enamel protector. Meth users crave sugary drinks and foods and the drug induces clenching and grinding of the teeth which leads to cracking and wear.
Oral Cancer
Heavy drinking and smoking, common behaviors for the inmate population, are significant contributors to oral cancers. Chewing tobacco and snuff increase the risk of oral cancer by 80% according to a World Health Organization report. These products are popular with inmates in some parts of the country. Surprisingly, oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in white males and the fourth most common in black males. Be alert for growths in the mouth when performing intake assessments and screenings. Common areas are under the tongue and the upper lip.
Oral Infections
Poor nutrition, substance abuse, and negligent dental hygiene leads to oral infections. Left unattended, a simple oral condition can turn into a systemic emergency. Oral infections can encompass the entire face and extend to sinuses or lead to airway obstruction.
When is Emergency Treatment Needed?
Emergency treatment is needed for a dental condition any time the patient is having difficulty breathing or swallowing. If the mouth cannot be opened or there is facial space involvement, immediate treatment is necessary. A ‘toxic’ appearance with a high fever would also be an indicator. In any of these situations immediate intervention should be sought.
Have you experienced dental emergencies in your practice? Share your story in the comments section below.
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BlogTalkRadio Podcasts- I Can't Eat That! Food Allergies in Corrections - Dec 22,2011 December 22, 2011Jeffrey Keller, MD, FACEP, discusses the thorny issue of self-reported food allergies in the correctional setting. There are many misconceptions about what constitutes a food allergy. In addition, food preferences can be inappropriately identified as an allergy. How should correctional nurses sort out food allergies? Dr. Keller is the president of Badger Cor […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Are Correctional Nurses Outcasts? - Oct 04,2011 October 4, 2011Lorry chats with Kevin Connor, BSN, RN, CCHP, President of the California-Nevada Chapter of the American Correctional Health Services Association about the image of correctional nursing. Keven is Communicable Diseases Coordinator for the San Bernadino Sheriffs Department and works out of the West Valley Detention Center in Ranco Cucamonga, CA. The CA-NV ACHS […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Aging, Stressors and Inmate Health - Sep 17,2011 September 17, 2011Lorry talks with Dr. Tina Maschi, assistant professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City about her work on behalf of prisoners. She is a 2010 recipient of the competitive Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars Program Award, which is funded by the Hartford Foundation and the Gerontological Society of America […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Correctional Nursing in the UK - Aug 29,2011 August 29, 2011A chat with Ann Norman, SEN, RGN, a long time prison nurse now advising the Royal College of Nursing where she assists in the development of policy, support members locally and nationally across the 4 UK countries. In her role she actively supports the interests of prisoners and detainees, prison and police custody nursing staff, individuals who have a learn […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
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- Tales from the Jail: Inside Jail Nursing - Jun 30,2011 June 30, 2011Paul "Trey" Flores, BSN, RN, CCHP shares an insider look at nursing in couny jails and detention facilities. He should know, having worked a variety of these settings from small 400 inmate sites to those with over 3,700 average daily population.Jail Nursing | Correctional Health Care | Correctional Nursing | Trey FLores | Lorry Schoenly […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Critical Thinking in Correctional Nursing Practice - May 26,2011 May 26, 2011Lorry interviews Tre’ O’Brien, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN about her work in developing critical thinking skills for correctional nurses. Tre has been a registered nurse for over 23 years with experience in nursing including acute care, outpatient services and management. She has worked in correctional nursing for the past 16 years and currently practices as a clinical […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Understanding Inmate Seizure Disorders: Considering Psychogenic Causes - Apr 07,2011 April 7, 2011Guest Gregory Famiglio, MD discusses his experiences with seizure management in the inmate population, especially the challenges of psychogenic seizures and the female population. Dr. Famiglio practices in a female prison in the Pennsylvania Prison System. Seizures | Psychogenic | Corrections | Lorrys Schoenly | Gregory Famiglio […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Healthy Inmates 2020 - Mar 25,2011 March 25, 2011In this episode Lorry talks with Susan Tiona, MD, who is heading up a project which applies the Healthy People 2020 effort to the US inmate population. Dr. Tiona is a family practice physician currently practicing in a medium security prison in Colorado. More Healthy Inmate 2020 info can be found at their website: http://www.healthyinmates.org/Healthy Inmate […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- Psychiatric Emergency Response: Just In Time Intervention - Feb 17,2011 February 17, 2011Kat Major is an RN working a mobile unit that intervenes in psychiatric emergency situations in California. Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT)members ride with law enforcement during off-hours to respond to calls concerning mental health clients. Learn more about this unique service and the corrections connection.correctional health care | lorry scho […]CorrectionalNrsgTday
- I Can't Eat That! Food Allergies in Corrections - Dec 22,2011 December 22, 2011
- Correctional Nursing Today Podcasts
- Understanding Inmate Seizure DIsorders: Considering Psychogenic CausesOriginally Aired April 7, 2011: Guest Gregory Famiglio, MD discusses his experiences with seizure management in the inmate population, especially the challenges of psychogenic seizures and the female population. Dr. Famiglio practices in a female prison in the Pennsylvania Prison System. […]
- Healthy Inmate 2020Originally Aired March 25, 2011: In this episode Lorry talks with Susan Tiona, MD, who is heading up a project which applies the Health People 2020 effort to the US inmate population. Dr. Tiona is a familiy practice physician currently practicing in a medium security prison in Colorado. More Health Inmate 2020 info can be found at thier wesite: http://www.he […]
- Psychiatric Emergency Response: Just In Time InterventionOriginally Aired February 17, 2011: Kat Major is an RN working a mobile unit that intervenes in psychiatric emergency situations in California. Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) members ride with law enforcement during off-hours to respond to calls concerning mental health clients. Learn more about this unique service and the corrections connection. […]
- HIV Treatment in Jails and PrisonsOriginally Aired January 13, 2011: Josiah Rich, MD, MPH, of Miriam Hospital and Borwn University talks about his research in preventing and treating HIV in the inmate population. Dr. Rich is the director and co-founder of the Center for Prison Health and Human Rights at the Miriam Hospital Immunology Center and is recent recipiant of one of 12 NIH grants to […]
- Improving Clinical Communication in CorrectionsOriginally Aired December 16, 2010: Effective communication improves patient safety and assures quality care, yet is a great challenge in the sometimes fragmented correctional healthcare system. Idaho Prison System nurse leaders share their tips for improving clinical communication including using the SBAR model for nurse-physician interactions. […]
- Reducing Legal Risk for Correctional NursesOriginally aired November 20, 2010: Valerie Lane, RN, CLNC, discusses legal risk for correctional nurses. Valerie is a certified legal nurse consultant specializing in correctional cases and has worked many years in the California Corrections System. […]
- Cancer Care Behind BarsOriginally aired October 27, 2010: A chat with Gail Kwarciany, RN, MSN, about her work with inmate cancer patients at UTMB, Galveston. Discussion includes the challenges of cancer care behind bars and the special needs of inmates with cancer. […]
- Infusing End of Life CareOriginally aired August 31, 2010: Susan Loeb, PhD, RN, discusses the National Institute of Nursing Research Grant funded project to include End-of-Life Care in corrections. Dr. Loeb is Associate Professor of Nursing at the Pennsylvania State University and Faculty Affiliate in the Gerontology Cneter and Bioethics Program. She is Principle Investigator for th […]
- Failure to RescueOriginally aired August 19, 2010: Sue Smith, RN, MSN, CCHP-RN, joins Lorry to discuss the issue of failure to rescue. First recognized in acute care facilities, failure to rescue has come to be associated with understaffing, lack of communication, healthcare staff who become overly task oriented and to lack of vigilance. In the correctional setting, inmate-p […]
- Inmate Health Perspective with Author Piper KermanOriginally Aired July 14, 2010: Piper Kerman, author of the memoir "Orange is the New Black" discusses her book and experiences in a federal prison, focusing on the healthcare perspective. […]
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- Correctional Nurse TrailblazerOriginally aired June 17, 2010: Lorry chats with Jackie Moore, PhD, RN, CCHP-A, CCHP-RN, about the beginnings of organized correctional healthcare. Whe was there at the start! Dr. Moore has over 3 decades of nursing experience primarily in corrections and started the first correctional healthcare company providing services to facilities in the northeast. She […]
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- Talking About Jail NursingOriginally Posted 04-14-2010: Becky Pinney, MSN, RN joins Lorry to provide an insider look at jail nursing. Becky is currently President, Metropolitan Corrections Systems, for Prison HEalth Services with multi-facility responsibilities for PHS sites and regions. In her current position, she is responsible for the oversight and direction to facility-based sta […]
- ANA Correctional Nursing StandardsOriginally posted 03-19-10: Lorry talks with Catherine Knox, MS, RN, CCHP-RN, about the latest revision of the Scope and Standards for Correctional Nursing. Catherine has 22 years of correctional nursing experience in a variety of settings. She was the Statewide Director of Nursing for the Washington Department of Corrections from 2004 until the Fall of 2008 […]
- Is Prison Nursing for Me?Originally Posted 02-18-2011: Margaret M. Collatt, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN/A, joins Lorry to talk about correctional nursing in the prison setting - What it takes to be a Correctional Nurse. Margaret has over 26 years of correctional healthcare experience and was the Health Services Manager at the Oregon State Penitentiary for 8 1/2 hears. She has developed and ins […]
- Dealing with EmergenciesOriginally Posted 02-09-2010: Lorry interviews SUsan Laffan RN, CCHP-RN/A about how to handle emergency medical issues in a correctional facility. Susan has been a registered nurse for 28 years. She has worked in the ED for 28 years and correctional nursing for 18 years. Susan is currently the chairperson of the Academy of Correctional Health Professionals. […]
- History of Correctional NursingOriginally posted 01-21-10: Mary Muse, MS, RN, CCHP-A, joins Lorry to talk about the hisory of the correcitional nursing specialty and its future direction. Mary has over 14 years of correctional health care experience and was the Chief Nursing Officer for the Cook COunty correctional system for a dozen years. She currently works in the Wisconsin State Priso […]
- Understanding Inmate Seizure DIsorders: Considering Psychogenic Causes
Lorry Schoenly
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- Pennsylvania county OKs inmate medical costs program January 13, 2012
- Ensuring standards are standard behind bars January 13, 2012
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- Top 3 challenges for women in corrections in 2012I have worked in male dominated professions my entire life. I started in a county jail in the 80s where the only women were me, the nursing staff and a former Jail Matron who had managed to work her way up to Assistant Superintendent. When I got there in the 80's, I had little trouble adapting to jail life. The inmates seemed receptive but I faced chall […]
- 4 correctional healthcare game changers from 2011By Lorry SchoenlyAnother year is here and we can look back on plenty of correctional healthcare news from 2011. What top stories from the past year are most memorable to you? Here are my top picks for 2011 game changers along with suggested action to reduce their impact. #1 Legal eagles rule the roost Healthcare is now the most common legal issue raised by i […]
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- Success with one is success with manyBy Eugene AthertonI remember a promotional interview for Warden in our correctional system. I suggested that effective leaders encourage successful relationships among staff in order to achieve success. When asked how that could be done, I answered, "One relationship at time." Now, at the time I was not sure of the meaning of the statement. It soun […]
- Top 10 corrections stories of 2011: A look backBy Carol McKinley Stories come and go throughout the year on our website, and there are so many, sometimes we forget them. So CorrectionsOne looked back at the most popular stories of the year and called the people and facilities involved to get an update. Here's a look back at the top stories of 2011. 1. The 23-year-old California woman who police say […]
- California corrections 2011: A year in reviewBy Bob WalshThis has been a momentous year for the profession within the formerly great state of California. Monumental. Nearly overwhelming. Maybe even disastrous. It depends a lot on who you ask and from which side of the issues you are looking.The Books Not Bars crowd is no doubt deliriously happy about the near-total demise of the Division of Juvenile Ju […]
Kind of funny to be “correcting” a correctional nurse. Just one small issue (and the only one I have deep knowledge of)I would like to comment on.
You might want to switch around the smokeless tobacco/smoking information. The prime factors for oral cancer are smoking, alcohol, and HPV, with smokeless tobacco playing an uncertain role. (The overviews determining the connection are heavily weighted toward old flawed studies with older products. The evidence from the last few decades (better controlled studies) have shown that smokeless tobacco is not a strong risk for oral cancer. )
In the case of inmates or anyone smoking cigarettes; substituting smokeless tobacco not only removes all risks of lung and many other cancers but reduces dramatically the risk of oral cancer as well.
Hi, Paul: Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment and recommendation. The National Cancer Institute would take issue with the idea that smokeless tobacco is rather benign or that it is a good substitute for cigarettes:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/smokeless
However, I see what you mean about the order of the information being misleading and I’ll make that edit.
Thanks so much for participating in my blog. I hope you stop by and comment regularly! Lorry
Tooth pain could be a sign of many alternative things. It can be due to redness of the gums, an abscess ( an infection that develops in the tooth root or between the tooth and gum ), a cracked tooth, a dislodged filling, or the most common culprit, a cavity. However, sometimes a toothache is caused by something as easy as trapped food between the teeth. The food particles can irritate the gums and the agony can radiate into the encircling teeth.
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Oral health care does tend to get overlooked when it comes to inmates. In fact, I know of many cases of people who were pardoned and set free from prison after many years, who needed medical or dental treatments because of the poor conditions of their teeth.
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