Current Evidence-based Management of Patients on Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants in Dental Practice: A Questionnaire-based Survey of Interns and Staff
ABSTRACT An increasing number of dental patients are taking ‘blood thinner’ medications for various medical conditions. These drugs interfere with the body's normal clotting (stopping blood flow) mechanism. The standard of care has been to stop the aspirin and warfarin prior to dental procedures involving bleeding since these drugs are known to affect clot formation and coagulation. However, the patient is at a greater risk of developing thromboembolic complications and reinfarcts if these drugs were discontinue than occurence of excessive bleeding if they were continued. Bleeding can be effectively managed by local hemostatic measures. How to cite this article Daruwalla SF, Sidana S. Current Evidence-based Management of Patients on Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants in Dental Practice: A Questionnaire-based Survey of Interns and Staff. J Contemp Dent 2014;4(1):22-26.