Dentist should probably refer evidence of peripheral neuropathy 
to a qualified internist or neurologist.....for further evaluation

Hello Dr. Jerome,

Our colleague, Dr. JanDrew has mentioned that you are
quite interested in peripheral neuropathy. My take on the
subject is that a dentist should probably refer evidence of
peripheral neuropathy to a qualified internist or neurologist
for further evaluation.  This concurs with Dr. Arthur
Ashbury's Chapter 363 in Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine, McGraw/Hill.

Dr. Arthur K. Ashbury writes,

Its the title of Chapter 363 in Harrison's Principles of
Internal Medicine, McGraw/Hill. It describes Peripheral
Neuropathy.  As is the case with all of the other chapters in
this definitive work, it is written by an expert in that
particular field.  For Peripheral Neuropathy, this is Dr.
Arthur K. Ashbury.

He begins,

"Peripheral neuropathy is a general term indicating disorder
of peripheral nerve of any cause; therefore knowing that a
peripheral neuropathy is present in a particular patient
should instigate a search for its basis."

So begins the chapter!

What is included

Figure 363-1 is a flow chart, an algorithm of sorts, listing
around twenty-five conditions that can elicit a symptom of
peripheral neuropathy.

Table 363-1 is "Polyneuropathy Associated with Systemic
Diseases." This lists 23 well-known diseases. Several
examples are Porphyria (three types), Vitamin B12 deficiency,
and chronic liver disease.

Table 363-2 is "Polyneuropathy Associated with Drugs or
Environmental Toxins." This includes twenty-two drugs or
toxins such as Phenytoin, Pyridoxine, Diphtheria, and
inorganic lead. Interestingly, mercury itself is absent!

Table 363-3 is "Genetically Determined Polyneuropathies."
Examples: Hereditary amyloid neuropathies, Fabry's Disease,
and Refsum's Disease.

Also mentioned is Acute Demyelinating Polyneuropathy which is
synonymous with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. There are around
3,500 cases per year of GBS in the US. In over two-thirds of
the cases a viral infection is implicated.

If JanDrew or anyone else suspects they are suffering from or
experiencing some peripheral neuropathy, a visit to a
neurologist is certainly in order.  If a patient reports any
of these symptoms to a dentist, a REFERRAL to a neurologist
is also in order.

That is, unless that dentist is named Dr. Frank Jerome.  Then
it simply becomes an amalgam issue!  I suspect that Dr.
Jerome, himself NOT being a neurologist, just skips all of
those impertinent diagnostic details.

DR. JEROME: "Neuropathy? Then it must be the amalgam. Why
bother me with the details? If nothing else, I learned from
Dr. JanDrew that if your health is bad, to just CHECK THE
TEETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It can save your life!!!!!!!!"

A visit to Frank Jerome, D.D.S. most likely will not help the
patient that much or even help out at all.  That is, unless
the patient does not have anything wrong with them in the
first place!  In that case, a visit to MacDonalds followed by
a couple of Big Macs, large fries, and a Coke can also get
you to forget about your peripheral neuropathy too.  Far
cheaper too!

From: JDrew63929 (jdrew63929@aol.com)
Subject: Re: The Tooth Truth about Peripheral Neuropathy 
Date: 2001-03-14 20:31:40 PST 

Your take on the subject is BS. I already had my diagnoses from my MD that I
had PN. If you would slow down and read you might get things straight.

Some people do, but some MD's know how to treat PN.. Been there done that, had
a EMG test and a diagnoses..

No one reported PN to a dentist. I already had a diagnoses.