Cardiac transplantation: dental considerations

The same basic principles of dental management of the immunocompromised patient apply to patients receiving cardiac transplants: preimmunosuppressive therapy examination and elimination of all existing and potential sources of infection; counseling regarding the importance of meticulous oral hygiene obviating further medical complications; and frequent oral health assessments for interception of emerging oral problems, maintenance, and reinforcement of good oral care. Dental practitioners familiar with the more numerous patients with renal transplants will find differing therapy complications secondary to immunosuppression and maintenance drug regimens. The dental approach to the candidate for a cardiac transplant will differ in degree of morbidity and complexity of delivering necessary oral care before transplantation.