207 General discussion higher RODI scores (severe dryness) for all intra-oral locations (Chapter 3). In comparison, medication induced dry-mouth patients experienced the anterior tongue as most dry and had lower RODI scores (less severe dryness) for all intra-oral locations (Chapter 3). These results can help dental clinicians to screen patients, especially those with high susceptibility for a dry mouth. Alternatively, the combination of the RODI and the XI can also help to create a better overview of the dry-mouth complaints of individual patients and it provides deeper insight about the location where these complaints occur. In addition, it is tempting to assume that the RODI can provide a suggestion about the possible aetiology of dry mouth, however this needs to be established and validated in future studies. The RODI may also be a helpful tool for general practitioners (GPs) to screen patients in order to get a better understanding where dry-mouth problems manifest in the mouth. Namely, a substantial number of patients will consult their GP instead of the dentist when having problems with their mouth [1]. So, informing GPs about dry mouth can significantly contribute to broaden the scope of dry mouth, and related, remedies. In the previous mentioned research (Chapter 3) we explored the effect of the number of medications used by dry-mouth patients on intra-oral dryness. However, the roles of specific types of medication on intra-oral dryness was not addressed in this thesis. As medications differ in their xerogenic potential, this effect of specific types of medication needs to be addressed in future studies. The RODI scores of particular intra-oral locations had a strong association with the total XI scores in dry-mouth patients (Chapter 3). For the floor of the mouth and for the anterior and posterior tongue especially, these correlations were strong (Chapter 3). These correlations indicate that patients which experience a very dry mouth in general (as indicated by high XI scores) will also experience more severe oral dryness at these three intra-oral locations (high RODI scores at these locations). These results indicate that the floor of the mouth and the anterior and posterior tongue play important roles in the perception of dry mouth. So, these findings emphasize the need to measure perceived intra-oral dryness with the RODI questionnaire. It can be useful in regular dental clinics to screen (new) dental patients for high susceptibility to oral dryness. Completing the RODI questionnaire is brief and easy, and it can be done in the dental waiting room or at home. If high RODI scores are obtained for specific regions (score≥3), further dry-mouth diagnostics may be implemented. In some cases, when the patient has more complex dry-mouth problems, the dentist can even decide to refer a patient to a specialized saliva clinic. 10
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