Melanie V. Taverna, MSDH, MAADH, is an
assistant professor and clinical faculty member in the Division of
Dental Hygiene at the University of Texas Health San Antonio (UT
Health San Antonio). She is also director of the university’s
Master of Science in dental hygiene program and
serves as assistant director for the South Texas Oral Health Network
(STOHN). Taverna can be reached at taverna@uthscsa.edu.
While not traditionally noted as high risk for xerostomia, young patients are more commonly experiencing medical conditions and medication use that increase susceptibility to dry mouth.