Medical status of patients attending a primary care dental practice in Ireland.
Medical status of 1,500 patients attending a primary health care dental practice was examined by means of patient self-completed health questionnaire and by structured verbal interview by a dentist. Relevant medical histories and/or drug therapies affecting the practices of dentistry were found in 27.7% of patients. Problems identified included cardiovascular disease (10.4%), endocarditis risks (5.8%), hepatitis (7.9%), leukaemias (0.3%), bleeding tendencies (3%), drug allergies (7.0%), including penicillin allergy (3.6%) and intake of drugs affecting dentistry (6.0%). For most of these categories there was a marked increase in prevalence with increasing age and many categories contained many more women than could be expected from the male/female distribution of the total patient group.
Fenlon
M R
MR
United Medical and Dental Schools, Guy's Hospital, London.
McCartan
B E
BE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003729:Dental Care; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires