Muhammad Haris, Abid Ashar, Muhammad Imtiaz.
Knowledge of dentists regarding management of orally anticoagulated patients undergoing dental extractions.
Pak Oral Dental J Jan ;36(4):538-41.

Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) is prescribed for the prevention and treatment in patients with thromboembolic disorders. These inhibit blood clotting and, thus, pose problems in hemostasis, when patient has to undergo dental extractions. This study aimed at determining dentists’ knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices towards management of patients on oral anticoagulation therapy requiring dental extractions. A survey with sections on demographics and knowledge of anticoagulation treatment, clinical practice, local haemostatic measures, and postoperative management was distributed among dentists. The target population consisted of 447 dentists, out of which 240 (68.5%) completed and returned their forms. Of the respondents, 88 were House officers (HOs), 70 Post graduate trainees (PGs) and 82 Private Dental Practitioners (PDPs), with experience range of 1-41 years. This study identified a lack of knowledge among all groups of dentists with insignificant difference between them in Diagnosis (p value-0.940) and significant difference in Treatment Planning (p value-0.043) and Post-Operative Management sections (p value – 0.029). This lack may have a negative effect on the dental care for the patient taking Oral Anticoagulants and special attention and efforts are needed to elevate the dentist knowledge in this field.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com