Dental Management of Patients on Blood Thinners

Abstract

This chapter discusses the dental and oral surgical management of patients taking common types of oral antiplatelet and anticoagulants medications. The mechanism of action, dosage, commercial preparations, drug interactions of relevant antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications are described. Pre-operative assessment and operative measures to reduce the risk of bleeding in patients undergoing oral surgical procedures in general dental practice settings are also explained in the light of contemporary professional guidelines. The readers are signposted to useful online resources on the pre-operative assessment and surgical management of patients on antiplatelet and anticoagulants medications along with resources which may be used for patient education.