Diagnosing Iron Deficienc...

A 68-year-old woman was presented to the department of oral medicine because she felt loosening of her left teeth for three months. She was conscious and cooperative, but she appeared to be moderately built and poorly nourished. No peripheral signs of systemic disease were detected during the examination. However, inside her mouth, the dentist noticed erosion at the corner, depapillation on the top of her tongue, pallor, and erosion on the inner cheek (Figure 1 and 2). Most of her teeth were missing, and the remaining ones were generally loose. The dentist diagnosed her with chronic generalized periodontitis and recommended a complete blood count to check for anaemia. Her haemoglobin levels were low, indicating iron deficiency anaemia, and she was referred to a general physician for further evaluation. She was prescribed oral ferrous sulfate therapy, to which she responded well. After her medical treatment, she received dental treatment.