Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment after prosthetic joint replacement: exploring the orthopaedic surgeon's opinion.
BACKGROUND
Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment is routinely recommended by orthopaedic surgeons to prevent prosthetic joint infection (PJI). This recommendation is at odds with current guidelines.


METHODS
A postal survey of 9 checkbox or short-answer questions was completed by 633 orthopaedic surgeons.


RESULTS
The majority of respondents (n = 186 of 260, 72%) believe that antibiotic prophylaxis is required indefinitely for dental treatment. A small number (n = 43, 15%) seek a dentist's opinion before elective joint replacement. The surgeons reported low numbers of PJIs, although 24% (n = 68 of 280) believed that they were associated with dental treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Australian orthopaedic surgeons continue to recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment. The recording of PJI in relation to dental procedures into clinical registries would enable the development of consistent guidelines between professional groups responsible for the care of this patient group.
The Health Observatory, Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, Woodville South, South Australia, Australia; Special Needs Unit, Adelaide Dental Hospital, South Australian Dental Service, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Clare M
CM
McNally
Adelaide Geriatrics Training and Research With Aged Care (GTRAC) Centre, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Renuka
R
Visvanathan
Special Needs Unit, Adelaide Dental Hospital, South Australian Dental Service, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Sharon
S
Liberali
The Health Observatory, Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus, Woodville South, South Australia, Australia.
Robert J
RJ
Adams
Antibiotic prophylaxis; Arthroplasty; Bacteremia; Dental care; Orthopaedics