title: What is the role of the oral and maxillofacial department in the preoperative management of patients awaiting cardiac operations?
abstract: There is limited evidence and guidance on best practice regarding preoperative dental assessments of patients awaiting cardiac operations. To analyse current practice in oral and maxillofacial units across the United Kingdom, we did a telephone survey to find out how these patients are managed. All maxillofacial departments in the United Kingdom were contacted, with a response rate of 77%. Those attached to dental schools were excluded. Most departments did extractions only, and in many, patients were assessed and treated within 7 days of being referred, although this varied. Most units did not offer antibiotic prophylaxis to patients at high risk of infective endocarditis, but some did after advice had been sought from a cardiologist. Respondents in 76% thought that preoperative dental assessments for cardiac patients were an appropriate use of resources. We propose a more integrated pathway for the management of these patients (particularly considering the pressure on time for treatment) that focuses primary and secondary resources accordingly.
authors: York Teaching Hospital, Wigginton Road, York YO31 8HE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Glyndwr.Jenkins@hyms.ac.uk.
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Jenkins
authors: Prince Charles Hospital, Gurnos Road, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9DT, United Kingdom(c).
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Holmes
authors: Prince Charles Hospital, Gurnos Road, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9DT, United Kingdom(c).
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Colman-Nally
authors: Prince Charles Hospital, Gurnos Road, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9DT, United Kingdom(c).
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Mustafa
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Cardiac surgery; Dentoalveolar surgery; Infective endocarditis