Mucormicosis asociada a COVID-19: revisión de la literatura para odontólogos / COVID-19 associated mucormycosis: a literature review for dentists

La mucormicosis es una infección fúngica rara, con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Se presenta principalmente en pa- cientes con diabetes mellitus no controlada, inmunocompro- metidos, con tratamiento crónicos con esteroides, entre otros. Actualmente, se cree que la pandemia de COVID-19 y los tratamientos con corticosteroides podrían estar implicados en el aumento de casos de esta micosis. Este hongo invade el sistema vascular, ocluyendo el flujo sanguíneo arterial y generando una rápida trombosis e isque- mia, lo que provoca la necrosis de los tejidos duros y blandos, con invasión rápida a los tejidos circundantes. Hay varias formas clínicas. En la cavidad bucal se presenta la variante rino-orbito-cerebral, que afecta el paladar en forma de lesión eritematosa o grisácea que puede progresar hacia la formación de una masa necrótica o ulceración con muy escaso sangrado de mucosa. Se manifiesta con síntomas típicos de una rinosinusitis con fiebre y dolor en las piezas dentarias superiores. El tratamiento consta de tres pilares fundamentales: el diagnóstico, un manejo adecuado de las comorbilidades y la combinación de las terapias antifúngica y quirúrgica. Desde el año 2020, la mucormicosis asociada a COVID-19 pasó a ser un evento de notificación obligatoria inmediata al Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de la Salud (SNVS2.0) me- diante el Sistema Integrado de Información Sanitaria Argen- tina (SISA). Es importante destacar que se han reportado casos de mu- cormicosis luego de extracciones dentales; lo que impulsa a afianzar los conocimientos sobre esta enfermedad, extremar las medidas preventivas e incentivar el diagnóstico precoz en la atención odontológica, debido a la rapidez en la evolución de la patología (AU))

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection, with high mor- bidity and mortality. It occurs mainly in patients with uncon- trolled diabetes mellitus, immunocompromised, on chronic treatment with steroids, among others. Currently, it is believed that the COVID-19 pandemic and the corticosteroid treatments could be one of the causes of increased cases. This fungus invades the vascular system, occluding arteri- al blood flow and generating rapid thrombosis and ischemia, which causes necrosis of hard and soft tissues, with rapid in- vasion to the surrounding tissues. There are several clinical forms. In the oral cavity, the rhino-orbito-cerebral variant presents itself affecting the pal- ate in the form of an erythematous or grayish lesion that can progress towards the formation of a necrotic mass or ulcera- tion with very little mucosal bleeding. It manifests itself with typical symptoms of rhinosinusitis, with fever and pain in the upper teeth. The treatment consists of three fundamental pillars: diag- nosis, proper management of comorbidities and the combina- tion of antifungal and surgical therapies. Since 2020, COVID-19 associated mucormycosis became an event of mandatory immediate notification to the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS2.0,) through the Argentina Integrated Health Information System (SISA). It is important to emphasize that mucormycosis cases had been reported following tooth extractions, which drives to strengthen knowledge about this disease, extreme preventive measures and encourage early diagnosis in dental care, due to the speed of the evolution of the pathology (AU))

El laboratorio clínico en odontología / The clinical laboratory in dentistry

El laboratorio clínico es un área de soporte de la medicina y pertenece al grupo de los auxiliares de diagnóstico. Se pueden encontrar dentro de hospitales, clínicas o establecimientos externos; dependiendo del tamaño del laboratorio, son las áreas y pruebas que se pueden realizar. Analizan todos los componentes y productos del cuerpo humano (sangre, saliva, etc.), obteniendo más información sobre el estado de salud del paciente complementado con una historia clínica minuciosa y la exploración física completa, confi rman un diagnóstico o proporcionan información útil sobre el estado del paciente y la respuesta al tratamiento. En la práctica odontológica, de rutina se envían los estudios preoperatorios donde evaluamos un cuadro clínico conocido, identifi camos pacientes de alto riesgo en busca de alguna nueva enfermedad que pudiera modifi car o complicar la intervención quirúrgica. Es obligatorio que el odontólogo sepa la existencia de las pruebas y sus indicaciones, enviarlas cuando sean necesarias y no escatimar en estudios complementarios si así lo requiere el paciente. Y en caso de detectar una anomalía en los resultados, se debe referir al paciente a un especialista (AU)

The clinical laboratory is a support area for medicine and belongs to the group of auxiliaries for the diagnostic. They can be found inside hospitals, clinics or external sites, depending on the size of the laboratory, the areas and the tests that can be performed. Analyze all the components and products of the human body (blood, saliva, etc.), obtaining more information about the state of the patient's health, complementing with a detailed clinical history and the complete physical examination, confi rming a diagnosis or useful information about the state of the patient and the response to treatment. In routine dental practice, preoperative studies are sent where a known clinical condition is evaluated, identify high-risk patients and in search of a new disease that can modify or complicate the surgical intervention. It is mandatory that the dentist knows the existence of the tests and their indications when things are necessary and do not skimp on complementary studies if the patient so requires. And in case of detecting an anomaly in the results, the patient should be referred to a specialist (AU)

Lesiones orales de sífilis secundaria limitada a la cavidad oral: informe de un caso / Oral lesions of secondary syphilis restricted to the oral cavity: report of a case

Objetivo: Describir un caso clínico de sífilis secundaria localizada en cavidad oral. Caso clínico: Un paciente masculino de 24 años, proveniente de Joaquín V. González, provincia de Salta, fue derivado a Unidad de Estomatología del Hospital Señor del Milagro, con manifestaciones orales de una semana de evolución. Clínicamente, se observaron lesiones blancas opalinas, indoloras, compatibles con pápulas sifilíticas, en diferentes ubicaciones orales. Se realizaron estudios serológicos que confirmaron el diagnóstico de sífilis secundaria. El paciente fue derivado al Servicio de Infectología, donde recibió tratamiento con una dosis de penicilina G benzatínica 2.400.000 UI intramuscular, con repuesta clínica favorable. Conclusión: El conocimiento de las manifestaciones orales puede llevar al diagnóstico clínico de la sífilis secundaria por parte del odontólogo, lo cual, junto con su tratamiento oportuno, puede evitar la transmisión de la enfermedad. El diagnóstico precoz es la mejor manera de ayudar al paciente y de prevenir las complicaciones (AU)

Best clinical practice guidance for local analgesia in paediatric dentistry: an EAPD policy document.

BACKGROUND: The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) proposes this best-practice guidance to help practitioners to decide when and how to use local analgesia to control pain in children, adolescents, and medically compromised individuals during the delivery of oral health care. METHODS: A search of different databases was conducted using all terms relevant to the subject. Relevant papers were identified after a review of their titles, abstracts or full papers. Three workshops were held during the corresponding EAPD interim seminar in Torino (Italy) in 2017. Several statements were agreed upon and, furthermore, knowledge gaps were identified. RESULTS: An important outcome was that when local analgesia administered appropriately-correct choice of agent(s) and dosage, proper route of administration-it is, firstly, clinically effective for pain-control in treating children and, secondly, it carries a very low risk of morbidity including adverse or side-effects. Furthermore, several gaps in knowledge were identified during the workshop which indicates future research needs. Most importantly it remains unsatisfactory that in several European countries the most frequently used injectable local analgesic agent, articaine, is not approved for usage in children below the age of 4 years. CONCLUSION: When considering the dental demand to treat vulnerable (medically compromised) children and adolescents in a safe, painless, less-invasive and effective way, there seems to be an urgent need to close these gaps in knowledge.

A systematic review of the use of local analgesia in medically compromised children and adolescents.

AIM: To determine if the use of routine techniques and agents for topical and injectable dental local analgesia (LA) are safe for use in medically compromised children and adolescents. METHOD: Medline, Embase and Cochrane Oral Health Group's trials register, were searched electronically, supplemented by hand searching of relevant journals. SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs, cohort studies, case-control studies, observational studies, case series, case reports, evidence based guidelines reporting on children and adolescents aged 18 years or younger with one/more pre-designated medical condition, being administered topical and/or injectable local analgesic for dental procedures using standard techniques of delivery. Outcomes were presence of adverse events which were attributable directly or indirectly to the underlying medical condition. RESULTS: N = 71 studies were retrieved but only three observational studies, one case series, two case reports and four evidence based guidelines met the criteria for inclusion. A disparate set of medical conditions were reported upon and sparse guidance given in these areas. Thirty-nine review articles and consensus documents provided little or no clinical data to support their recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: There are insufficient high quality data reporting on the use of topical and local analgesia to medically compromised children and adolescents. Apart from a known allergy to local analgesia or one of the agents, there appears to be very few absolute or relative contra-indications to the use of local analgesia in children and adolescents based on medical history. There is an urgent need for high quality studies wherever possible and appropriate, in order to improve and inform the evidence-base in this cohort.

Impact of Referral Protocols on the Dental Management of Patients Undergoing Treatment for Head and Neck Oncology in Northern Ireland.

Management of head and neck oncology necessitates an extensive multidisciplinary approach. Throughout Northern Ireland all oral care for Head and Neck Oncology patients is overseen within the Centre for Dentistry, Queens University Belfast via referral from the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team. The aim of this study was to develop and introduce a referral pro-forma to improve communication between members of the multidisciplinary team and ultimately expedite provision of oral care prior to patients undergoing treatment for Head and Neck Oncology. The study period ran from June 2013 until November 2014. All patients undergoing treatment for Head and Neck Oncology in Northern Ireland were included in the study. A referral pro-forma was introduced in June 2014 in an attempt to streamline the referral process. Data was gathered on patient waiting times, extraction protocols with comparisons made between the period before and after introduction of the pro-forma. In total 137 patients were included in the study: 96 patients were referred to the service using referral letters, confidential emails and via telephone; 41 patients were referred using the pro-forma. The introduction of the referral pro-forma resulted in a significant decrease in the mean number of days from referral to assessment (12 to 7 days) (p < 0.05) and significantly increased mean interval time between extractions and patients beginning radiotherapy (13 to 17 days) (p < 0.05). Significant improvements have been made with the introduction of the referral pro-forma where patients are waiting significantly less time for dental assessment and having extractions completed in a more timely manner therefore expediting the commencement of their oncology treatment.

Dental Treatment Considerations for Children with Complex Medical Histories: A Case of Townes-Brock Syndrome.

It is common for oral health and dental care to be considered a lesser priority for children with complex medical histories than other aspects of their health care. Often, these patients are at a high risk for caries and infection due to poor oral health practices at home, special or restricted diets, and no early establishment of a dental home for routine dental care. Unfortunately, many of these patients present to their first dental visits with caries and require aggressive treatment, such as extractions instead of pulp therapy, or crowns instead of fillings, due to their high caries risk and the difficulty in safely managing them medically during treatment. A unique example of this occurred at the Children's Hospital of Michigan, where a patient with Townes-Brock syndrome (TBS) presented to the dental clinic with advanced caries. TBS is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by major findings such as anomalies of the external ear, imperforate anus, renal malformations, and malformations of the hand. Like many medically complex cases, dental anomalies are not a direct consequence of TBS; however, due to the necessity of high calorie and high sugar feeding supplementation, many of these patients are at high risk for advanced dental caries. Due to this high caries risk, a more aggressive treatment plan is necessary to minimize the risk of recurrent decay and infection. It is critical to stress that even if the disease, syndrome, etc., of a patient does not have inherent dental consequences, it is imperative for regular dental care to be part of the comprehensive treatment plan for these patients. This includes the establishment of a dental home at a young age and proper oral health education of the patient's caregivers and their physicians. In the case of the patient with TBS, recommendations for daily brushing, especially after high sugar feedings was stressed, as well as the reduction of any other sweets within the diet.

Effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy on oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients / Efetividade da terapia com laser de baixa intensidade em mucosite oral de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço

Introduction: About 870,000 new cases of malignant airway and digestive tract tumor are diagnosed annually worldwide. Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck develop as side effects oral mucositis and other complications that can lead to discontinuation of anticancer treatment. Aim: This study was conducted to determine whether oral care can reduce the rates of discontinuation of anticancer treatment. Method: We selected patients with carcinoma of the head and neck radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy (CT) in the Hospital São Vicente de Paulo de Passo Fundo. A total of 187 patients were evaluated and divided into two groups: Group I (patients receiving dental treatment) and Group II (patients not receiving dental treatment). Group I ­ patient were submitted to daily assessments, receiving guidance, following a protocol for dental treatment and adjuvant application of low intensity laser throughout the period they performed RT. Group II - patients were evaluated and followed only, for not allowing the proposed treatment. Results: The interruption of radiation treatment was 2.4% of the patients in Group I, and Group II 34.6%. Conclusions: prevention and early treatment of complications related to RT like oral mucositis can decrease the chance of the patient to abandon radiotherapy and consequently contribute for a better prognosis for cure and patient survival (AU)

Introdução: Cerca de 870 mil novos casos de neoplasias malignas de vias aéreas e tumores do aparelho digestivo são diagnosticados anualmente em todo o mundo. Os pacientes submetidos à radioterapia (RT) de cabeça e pescoço desenvolvem efeitos colaterais como mucosite oral e outras complicações que podem levar à interrupção do tratamento anticâncer. Objetivo: Este estudo foi realizado para determinar se cuidados bucais podem reduzir as taxas de abandono do tratamento anticâncer. Método: Foram selecionados pacientes com carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço submetidos a radioterapia (RT), com ou sem quimioterapia (QT), no Hospital São Vicente de Paulo de Passo Fundo. Um total de 187 pacientes foram avaliados e divididos em dois grupos: Grupo I (pacientes que recebem tratamento dental) e Grupo II (pacientes que não receberam tratamento dental). Os pacientes do grupo I foram submetidos a cuidados diários, recebendo orientação, seguindo um protocolo de tratamento odontológico e aplicação adjuvante do laser de baixa intensidade durante todo o período que realizaram RT. Os pacientes do grupo II foram avaliados odontologicamente e acompanhados somente. Resultados: A interrupção do tratamento com radiação foi de 2,4% dos pacientes do Grupo I e no Grupo II 34,6%. Conclusões: a prevenção e o tratamento precoce das complicações relacionadas com a RT, como mucosite oral, podem diminuir a chance de o paciente abandonar a radioterapia e, consequentemente, contribuir para um melhor prognóstico de cura e sobrevida dos pacientes (AU)

Manejo de la salud oral en el paciente pediátrico infectado por VIH / Oral health management in the HIV-infected pediatric patient

El síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA) se caracteriza por una infección adquirida ocasionada por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), que afecta a la población linfocitaria CD4+ y que predispone al paciente a un estado de inmunodefi ciencia que lo hace susceptible a infecciones oportunistas severas y/o neoplasias inusuales. La infección por el VIH es un problema grave de salud pública, ya que hay alrededor de 34 millones de personas infectadas según el Centro Nacional de Prevención de Enfermedades de Atlanta; de esta población seropositiva para VIH 68 por ciento vive en África Subsahariana. El VIH se transmite a través de la contaminación con sangre, semen, fluidos vaginales y leche materna. Muchos de los portadores de este virus son asintomáticos lo que complica la situación en virtud de que si no se toman las precauciones de bioseguridad adecuadas, esta situación representa un riesgo para el profesional de la salud oral. Los odontólogos deben brindar un tratamiento adecuado a este tipo de pacientes e identifi car oportunamente cualquier riesgo de infección y complicaciones asociadas

cquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by a seemingly irreversible impairment acquired in CD4 + lymphocyte population that predisposes the host to severe opportunistic infections and/or neoplastic unusual. Infection produced by human immunode-fi ciency virus (HIV) is a serious public health problem, as there are about 34 million people infected reported by the National Center for Disease Prevention Atlanta, this 68% HIV-positive population lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV is transmitted through blood contamination, semen, vaginal fl uids and breast milk. Many patients infected with this virus are asymptomatic complicating the situation under if appropriate biosecurity measures are not taken; this situation represents a risk for oral health professional. Dentists should provide adequate treatment to these patients and promptly identify any risk of infection and as-sociated complications.

Apple Tree Dental: An Innovative Oral Health Solution.

The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health called attention to the "silent epidemic" of dental disease. Older adults and other vulnerable people continue to suffer disproportionately from dental disease and inadequate access to care. As a society and as dental professionals, we face multiple challenges to care for our aging patients, parents and grandparents. Apple Tree Dental's community collaborative practice model illustrates a sustainable, patient-centered approach to overcoming barriers to care across the lifespan.

Biological therapy and dentistry: a review paper.

In recent years, a new class of drugs has revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune, allergic, infectious, and many more diseases. This new class of drugs is made of 3 groups-cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, and fusion proteins-that may target special damaged cells but not all the cells. These drugs may have side effects such as infection, hypersensitivity, hematologic disorders, cancer, hepatotoxicity, and neurologic disorders. However, there is not enough evidence or long-term studies of the mechanism of action and side effects of these drugs. Patients receiving biological therapies may need special consideration in dentistry. This paper is a review of the classification, mechanism of action, and side effects of these drugs and dental consideration for patients receiving biological therapies.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 1: características y tratamiento en un paciente periodontal. Caso clínico seguido por 16 años / Type 1 diabetes mellitus: features and treatment in a periodontal patient. A clinical case followed over 16 years

En este trabajo presentaremos el tratamiento periodontal de una paciente diabética tipo 1 insulino-dependiente y el enfoque interdisciplinario a través de ortodoncia, operatoria dental y prótesis, su seguimiento y terapia de mantenimiento durante 16 años. Explicaremos las características clínicas de la diabetes tipo 1 y el tratamiento médico concomitante.

The concentration of IL-1B in saliva of children with oral lesions associated to histiocytosis / Concentracion de il-1β en saliva de niños con lesiones bucales asociadas a histiocitosis

La Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans(HCL) es una enfermedad de etiología y patogenia aún desconocidas. Afecta diferentes órganos y tejidos en los que produce lesiones de distinta gravedad. La histopatología de las lesiones y la clínica sugieren la participación de citoquinas en su patogenia. La IL-1β podría tener un rol importante en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las concentracionesde IL-1β de las salivas de pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de Histiocitosis de Célula de Langerhans con y sin manifestaciones bucales (grupos 1 y 2 respectivamente), en relación a un grupo control (grupo 3), de pacientes pediátricos que no presentaron antecedentes médicos ni lesiones bucales. Fueron estudiadas las salivas de 20 pacientes con la enfer -medad de HCL, en relación a un grupo control de 11 pacientes pediátricos que no presentaron antecedentes médicos. Los niños con Histiocitosis cuyas edades oscilaban entre 4 meses y 16 años fueron derivados del servicio de Oncohematología del Hospital Garrahan y Hospital de Clínicas, a la Cátedra de Odontología Integral Niños de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Se determinaron las concentraciones de IL-1β en los diferentes grupos, y se utilizó el Enzyme Inmune Assay Kit (Cayman, MI, USA), se expresó en pg/ml. El análisis de los resultados se realizó según el test de Kruskall Wallis, se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos (H = 20,36; P<0,001). Luego se realizó el análisis de comparaciones múltiples de Dunn que mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos 1 y 2 y entre los grupos 1 y 3 (p < 0,05). Se observaron valores más elevados de IL-1β en los pacientes con Histiocitosis con manifestaciones bucales (grupo 1), en relación con el grupo sin manifestaciones bucales (grupo 2) y con el grupo control (grupo 3).

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease whosetiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. It affects several organs and tissues, producing lesions of different severity. Its histopathology and clinical picture suggest the participation of cytokines in its pathogenesis. IL-1β might have an important role in its development. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of IL-1β in saliva of pediatric patients diagnosed with LCH, with and without oral manifestations (Groups 1 and 2respectively) compared to a Control Group (Group 3) of pediatric patients without medical antecedents or oral lesions.The saliva of twenty patients with LCH was studied and compared to a Control Group consisting of eleven pediatric patients without medical antecedents. The children with histiocytosis, aged four months to sixteen years, were referred by the Onco haematology Service at Garrahan Hospital and Hospital de Clínicas, to the Department of Comprehensive Children’s Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of BuenosAires (UBA).The concentrations of IL-1β in the different groups were determined using the Enzyme Immune Assay Kit (Cayman MI,USA) and expressed in pg/ml. Results were analyzed by the Kruskall Wallis test. Significant differences between the three cohorts were found, (H = 20.36, P< 0.001). Dunn ́s multiple comparison analysis was performed, which showed significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, and between Groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). Higher values of IL-1βwere found in the patients with histiocytosis with oral manifestations (Group 1) than in patients without manifestations (Group 2) and patients in the Control Group (Group 3).

Dental implications of new oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation.

UNLABELLED: As dental professionals, we should all be familiar with the most common oral anticoagulant, warfarin, and how to manage our patients that are taking it. However, several new oral anticoagulants which have recently been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are now being prescribed for patients in the United Kingdom. These new oral anticoagulants fall into two different categories: a direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bracknell, Berkshire) and activated Factor X inhibitors rivaroxaban (Xarelto Bayer HealthCare, Newbury, Berkshire) and apixaban (Eliquis Bristol-Myers Squibb, Uxbridge, Middlesex). These new drugs will have potential consequences for how dental practitioners manage patients requiring dental treatment, especially extractions and minor surgical procedures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is important that dentists are aware of new anticoagulants which are being prescribed for patients to ensure that they receive safe and appropriate dental treatment. As healthcare professionals we should also be aware of how and when to report adverse drug reactions.

New oral anticoagulants and their implications for dental patients.

Anticoagulation therapy is used in several conditions to prevent or treat thromboembolism. Over the last 40 years, warfarin has been the oral anticoagulant of choice and has been considered the mainstay of treatment. However, its use is limited by a narrow therapeutic index and complex pharmacodynamics, necessitating regular monitoring and dose adjustments. Recently, two new oral anticoagulants--dabigatran etexilate (a direct thrombin inhibitor) and rivaroxiban (a factor Xa inhibitor)--have been approved for use in North America and Europe. Unlike warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxiban are relatively small molecules that work as anticoagulants by targeting specific single steps of the coagulation cascade. Their advantages, relative to warfarin, include: predictable pharmacokinetics; limited food and drug interactions; rapid onset of action; and, short half-life. They require no monitoring. However, they lack a specific reversal agent. The number of patients taking dabigatran and rivaroxaban is increasing. Therefore, it is inevitable that dentists will be required to perform invasive procedures on this cohort of patients. This paper outlines the various properties of the new oral anticoagulants and the most recent guidelines regarding the management of these dental patients taking these medications.

Some care versus no care: an ethical analysis.

When examining solutions to mitigate dental disease and the crisis involving access to care, a question is frequently raised: "Is some care better than no care?" However, the question generally lingers unanswered. The purpose of this paper was to perform an ethical analysis of the question "is some care better than no care?" in order to ascertain whether solutions that provide "some care" are ethically justifiable.

Analysis of dental care of children receiving comprehensive care under general anaesthesia at a teaching hospital in England.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse the characteristics of comprehensive dental care provided under general anaesthesia (CDGA) and to review the additional treatment required by children over the 6 years subsequent to CDGA. METHOD: Information collected from hospital records for the 6-year period following the first CDGA included the types of dental treatment performed at CDGA, the return rates for follow-up appointments, further treatment required subsequent to CDGA and the types of dental treatment performed at repeat DGA. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 263 children, of whom 129 had a significant medical history, with mean age of 6.7 years. The results revealed that the waiting time for CDGA was significantly shorter in children who had a significant medical history, with 49% being admitted for CDGA within 3 months of pre-GA assessment, as compared to 29% of healthy children. 67% of children had follow-up care recorded, with a slightly higher proportion of children with significant medical history returning for follow-up [70% (90/129)] compared with 65% (87/134) of healthy children. Re-treatment rates were 34% (88/263), the majority of cases being treated under local analgesia (42/88). 34 of 263 children had repeat DGA (12.9%). Of these 71% (24/34) were children with significant medical history. The mean age at repeat DGA was 9 years. In 25 of 34 children (74%), repeat DGA was due to trauma, oral pathology, supernumerary removal, hypomineralized teeth or new caries of previously sound or un-erupted teeth at CDGA. The ratio of extraction over restoration (excluding fissure sealants) performed at repeat DGA was 2.8, compared with the ratio of 1.3 in the initial CDGA. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher ratio of extraction over restorations at the repeat DGA. This suggests that the prescribed treatments at repeat DGA were more aggressive as compared to the initial CDGA in 1997. The majority of the treatment required at repeat DGA was to treat new disease.

The management of dental patients taking new generation oral anticoagulants.

Recently, new oral anticoagulants have been introduced as alternatives to warfarin. While national guidelines for treatment of dental patients taking warfarin as an anticoagulant are well-established, no such information is available for these novel therapeutic agents. At present, the local guidance available is contradictory between different health boards/health planning units, and liaison with the medical practitioner managing the individual patient's anticoagulation is imperative if any invasive procedure is proposed. This paper examines the available evidence regarding these drugs and sets out proposals for clinical guidance of dental practitioners treating these patients in primary dental care.