Table 3.121.
Key considerations for dental management in osteoarthritis (see text)
| Management modifications* | Comments/possible complications | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk assessment | 1 | Prosthetic joint infection; bleeding tendency for patients on aspirin |
| Appropriate dental care | 1 | Antibiotic prophylaxis |
| Pain and anxiety control | ||
| – Local anaesthesia | 1 | Patient positioning |
| – Conscious sedation | 1 | Patient positioning |
| – General anaesthesia | 1 | Cervical spine stiffness |
| Patient access and positioning | ||
| – Access to dental office | 1 | Difficulties due to age and immobility |
| – Timing of treatment | 1 | Late morning or afternoon |
| – Patient positioning | 1 | Neck and leg supports |
| Treatment modification | ||
| – Oral surgery | 1 | Patient positioning; bleeding |
| – Implantology | 1 | |
| – Conservative/Endodontics | 0 | |
| – Fixed prosthetics | 0 | |
| – Removable prosthetics | 0 | |
| – Non-surgical periodontology | 1 | |
| – Surgical periodontology | 1 | |
| Hazardous and contraindicated drugs | 1 | Some patients are on aspirin or corticosteroids |
*
0 = No special considerations. 1 = Caution advised. 2 = Specialised medical advice recommended in some cases. 3 = Specialised medical advice mandatory. 4 = Only to be performed in hospital environment. 5 = Should be avoided.