Description

Managing dental patients on anticoagulant therapy requires a careful and well-coordinated approach between the patient, dentist, and healthcare provider. The treatment of patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication raises safety concerns in terms of the potential risk of bleeding complications following invasive dental procedures. The anticoagulant warfarin, and antiplatelet agents aspirin and clopidogrel, have been widely used for many years and most dental practitioners will be familiar with well-established guidelines for the dental care of patients taking these drugs. A lack of evidence in the context of dentistry to inform the treatment of patients taking these newer drugs has led to uncertainty around the appropriate management of these patients.