Abstract

PADRON-GONZALEZ, Natalia; TOMAS-CARMONA, Inmaculada; LIMERES-POSSE, Jacobo  and  PEREZ-CRESPO, Susana. Survey: Information administered to anticoagulated patients treated with  acenocoumarol regarding future dental treatment complications. RCOE [online]. 2003, vol.8, n.6, pp.623-628. ISSN 1138-123X.

Introduction: Approximately 400.000 Spaniards receive oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral hygiene habits and the information administered to these patients about dental treatment complications.  Patients and methods: A group of 173 patients was selected, 87 OAT and 86 with cardiac valve prostheses (CVP-OAT). All of them answered a questionnaire about oral hygiene, and prevention of hemorrhagic complications and bacterial endocarditis.  Results: The results obtained showed that 17.5% of OAT and 26.5% of CVP-OAT patients never brush their teeth. The risk of hemorrhage and bacterial endocarditis associated with invasive dental procedures had been notified to 68.1% of OAT and 73.9% of CVPOAT patients respectively.  Conclusion: The vast majority of anticoagulated patients receive adequate specific information about dental treatment complications and its prevention before undergoing dental treatment. However, the oral hygiene habits of these patients are poor, probably due to the existence of important lacks in dental education.

Keywords : Oral anticoagulant treatment; Hemorrhage; Bacterial endocarditis; Dental treatment.

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