Guidelines for the management of patients who are taking oral anticoagulants and who require dental surgery

Abstract

Scope and purpose: This aims to provide healthcare professionals, including primary care dental practitioners, with clear guidance on the management of patients who are taking oral anticoagulants and who need dental surgery.

Methods: Medline and Embase databases were searched from 1950-2006 using the following keywords: dental, surgery, oral and anticoagulants. The guideline was developed according to the guidelines of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH), which can be seen in detail at www.bcshguidelines.com/process1.asp. The system for classification of evidence and grading of recommendations is shown in Table 1.

Review and updating: BSCH indicate that updating review of the guideline is planned for 2011.

Recommendations: The guideline make 5 key recommendations which are shown in Table 2.

Research recommendations: None were given.