Knowledge and Practice of Dentists Managing Patients on Antithrombotic Medications: A Cross-Sectional Survey

In this article, we explored the level of knowledge and practice of licensed dentists in the United Arab Emirates regarding managing patients on antithrombotic medications. Moreover, to assess the need for educational intervention in this area is one of the objectives.

A total of 502 dentists answered 22 close-ended questionnaires. The sample size was determined based on the registry of the Ministry of Health.

Only 5.6 and 5.9% showed satisfactory overall awareness about aspirin and plavix, respectively, as drugs may hamper hemostasis. A substantial proportion of dentists consider aspirin (63.1%) and clopidogrel (52.2%) discontinuation before treatment. More than one-third of the participants shall not consider extracting teeth before physician approval, and one-quarter to one-third of them refer patients on such medications to oral surgeons to perform tooth extraction. Most respondents did not adequately answer the questions about the additional hemostatic measures and postoperative analgesia. A significantly high number of participants (n = 440, 87.6%) want to attend updated courses on the dental management of such patients.

The dentists demonstrate a contrasting diversity of knowledge and practice approaches to patient management on antiplatelet agents. There is an apparent demand to raise understanding of the evidence-based management of a patient on such medications. It is vital to keep formalized training sessions and provide the necessary expertise to students and dentists to prevent unwanted complications.