Respоnding tо this questiоn is optionаl. Any extrа credit аwarded for this question will be factored into your final grade at the professor's discretion. Case Study - Background: A 68-year-old male patient presents to the dental clinic with complaints of a white coating on his tongue and inner cheeks. He reports that the coating is painful, especially when eating or brushing his teeth. The patient also mentions a soreness in his mouth, and he has noticed a metallic taste when eating. The symptoms have been present for approximately two weeks and seem to worsen over time. He has a medical history of type 2 diabetes and has been managing the condition with oral hypoglycemic agents for the past 5 years. The patient has also recently been prescribed a bronchodilator inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which he uses daily. The patient is a former smoker and continues to smoke 5–6 cigarettes a day. Upon examination, you observe creamy white plaques on the tongue, buccal mucosa, and palate. Some of these plaques appear to be loosely adherent and can be partially scraped off, revealing erythematous mucosa underneath. There is mild erythema and swelling in the affected areas, and the patient exhibits signs of dry mouth. No signs of lymphadenopathy or fever are present. The patient is concerned that the white coating might be a sign of a more serious condition and is seeking advice on treatment. You may choose to answer one or all of the questions below. To receive full credit, please make sure to include the corresponding question number with your answer. 1. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient based on the clinical presentation? 2. What are key features of this condition/disease? 3. What is the pathophysiology behind the development of this condition/disease? 4. What are the risk factors for developing this condition/disease? 5. What other differential diagnoses should be considered for white plaques in the mouth? Specify why each would be considered and why each would be ultimately ruled out. 6. What are the treatment options and how would you manage this condition/disease? 7. What steps should be taken to prevent the recurrence of this condition/disease? 6. What role does the dental hygienist play in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of this condition/disease?