Baylor College of Dentistry is a founding partner of the innovative Sjögren's Multi-Specialty Referral Center, initiated earlier this year by the college's Salivary Dysfunction Clinic in the Department of Periodontics. It is a cooperative effort of Baylor College of Dentistry, Baylor University Medical Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

This new center enhances collaboration among medical and dental specialists in the care of Sjögren's patients, according to Dr. Ibtisam Al-Hashimi, director of the Salivary Dysfunction Clinic and coordinator of the new center. It affords a unified and organized way of referring patients with Sjögren's syndrome to specialists in ophthalmology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, pulmonary medicine, dermatology and psychology as well as oral/salivary dysfunction.

Through the center, patients receive collaborative care from specialists in salivary dysfunction, ophthalmology, rheumatology, dermatology and rhino who understand the disease and share patient records.

"The collaboration also enhances the professionals' knowledge of the variety and severity of symptoms associated with Sjögren's syndrome," says Dr. Al-Hashimi. "There is much more systemic involvement than anyone knew until recent years.

"We provide consultation with the patients' own physicians and dentists and can quickly identify any other specialists needing to be involved. We are now in an even better position to efficiently manage the care of patients already served by the Salivary Dysfunction Clinic as well as those newly diagnosed with Sjögren's," she adds.

Sjögren's Syndrome Referral Center patients advise professionals to give other patients with Sjögren's as much information as possible, especially in how the symptoms relate. Sjögren's sufferers also share their knowledge of the condition with other sufferers who are less familiar with the disease and the products available to alleviate its symptoms.

"My dermatologist's secretary has Sjögren's and has lost teeth as a result of it," says one of the Center's patients. "I've sent her lots of brochures."

Center clients receive both education and camaraderie through a local Sjögren's syndrome support group, which is an affiliate of the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation, Inc. The group meets quarterly at Baylor College of Dentistry or other sites within the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.

Dr. Al-Hashimi echoes the importance of sharing information about a disease that affects an estimated 2 to 3 million Americans, most of whom are undiagnosed. "The more people hear about this disease the more they will be able to recognize the symptoms in themselves and others and seek help early," she says.

Individuals desiring more information about the Referral Center may call at (214) 828-8490.