Article: Volume 47 Number 11 Page 912 - December 2020
Prev Article P912 Next Read article
Dent Update 2020; 47: 912-922
Oral surgery: Management of patients on oral anticoagulants in dental practice
CPD: 0:48 (closes in 31 days)
Feedback: 0 comments, 2 ratings
Abstract: The UK has an increasingly ageing population and, inevitably, the prevalence of anticoagulation among dental patients will grow. This same group of patients are retaining their natural teeth longer and will potentially require dental treatment and oral surgical procedures and so, general dental practitioners will need to be aware of the implications of anticoagulant drugs. Equally, to comply with requirements set by the General Dental Council's 'Standards for the Dental Team' it is imperative to ensure that, as clinicians, we put patients’ interests first, and provide quality care based on current evidence.
Clinical relevance: It is important that dentists have knowledge and expertise to consult and treat medically compromised patients for patient safety and to adhere to best practice guidelines.
Author notes: Shrina Nathwani, BDS, MOral Surg, RCSEng, MHMed, FHEA, Consultant in Oral Surgery, East Surrey Hospital, Canada Avenue, Redhill, RH1 5RH, UK. email: shrina.nathwani1@nhs.net
Objective: The reader should be aware of the clinical implications and pharmacology of anticoagulant medications, and understand the guidelines for current evidence-based management of patients on oral anticoagulants during dental or surgical treatments.
![]() |
![]() |