Devising a pro forma for dental screening of patients before invasive cardiac surgery

Abstract

Certain types of invasive cardiac surgery can place patients at risk of developing infective endocarditis from dental pathology or dental treatment. University Hospital Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust is the regional centre for cardiac surgery in the South West of the UK and is part of the South Wales and South West Congenital Heart Disease Network. As part of this network, the Special Care Dental Department within Bristol Dental Hospital provides dental screening for patients pending invasive cardiac surgery. These are conducted to identify dental pathology in individuals who will be at risk of infective endocarditis, so where possible, they are rendered dentally fit before their surgery.Presented is the information that led to the creation of a screening pro forma, for the dental assessment of patients before invasive cardiac surgery, suitable for use in primary or secondary care. This was produced following an audit, to ensure that along with identifying sources of dental pathology, the dental screening is also documenting the risk of dental pathology and modifiable risk factors. This enables tailored preventative advice which is important to help reduce a patient's lifetime risk of infective endocarditis from dental pathology. Other information used to help develop the pro forma taken from the audit, regional and national guidance is also discussed.