Exploring the Impact of Orofacial Symptoms and Treatment Preferences Among Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Findings from a Comprehensive Global Survey

Category	Detail
Condition	Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)
Key Mechanisms	Immune-mediated tissue injury, excessive extracellular matrix deposition resulting in fibrosis, progressive vasculopathy.
Target Population	Patients with systemic sclerosis experiencing orofacial manifestations.
Care Setting	Rheumatology and dental care settings.

Common orofacial manifestations include xerostomia, facial appearance concerns, restricted mouth opening, dysphagia, and denture-related problems.
Patients expressed more confidence in rheumatologists than dentists regarding orofacial management.
Significant physical, psychological, and social impacts associated with orofacial disease were reported.
Up to two-thirds of patients with SSc experience xerostomia, with moderate to severe impact reported by over half.
Involvement of orofacial tissues affects a substantial proportion of patients, with some studies indicating up to 87.1%.

Diagnosis of Sjögren's disease based on American-European Consensus Group criteria.

Regular assessment of oral health needs, including periodontal health and dental caries.

Patients with systemic sclerosis experiencing orofacial symptoms.

Patients reported unmet needs related to oral health, particularly concerning periodontal health and dental caries.

Integrate oral health assessments into routine care for patients with SSc.
Enhance collaboration between rheumatologists and dental care providers to address orofacial manifestations.

Clinical Scorecard: Exploring the Impact of Orofacial Symptoms and Treatment Preferences Among Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Findings from a Comprehensive Global Survey