Congenital heart block associated with Sjögren syndrome: case report

Background: Congenital heart block is a rare complication of pregnancy associated with Sjögren Syndrome that may result in the death of the foetus or infant, or the need for pacing in the newborn or at a later stage.Case report: The case is presented of a 64-year-old patient with primary Sjögren Syndrome and a history of having given birth to two sons with congenital heart block, both of whom required pacing several years later.Conclusion: The literature relating to this association is discussed including the suggested mechanism, long-term outcome of mothers of children with congenital heart block and preventive treatment strategies

Oral Medicine: Defining an emerging specialty in the United States

Oral medicine is a specialized area of study within the scope of dental medicine. This discipline is often viewed as the crossroads between medicine and dentistry and has become integral in both pre-and postdoctoral dental education. Oral medicine is recognized as a dental specialty throughout most of the world and currently represents an emerging specialty in the United States. Historically, oral medicine has been loosely defined in the United States without a clear consensus definition. Recent published studies regarding international oral medicine postdoctoral programs and clinical practice have helped to provide more specific information regarding oral medicine from many perspectives. This article will review the literature relevant to defining oral medicine in the United States and present a new definition of this important discipline based on recent studies