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Dental Procedures and Associated Risk of Infective Endocarditis
Emil Fosbøl1, Eva Havers-Borgersen2, Anders Dahl3
1The Heart Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
American Heart Journal
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Dental procedures do not increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE) or bacteremia. This finding holds true even for patients with pre-existing heart conditions, suggesting dental care is safe for most individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oral Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Dental procedures can lead to bacteremia, a known risk factor for infective endocarditis (IE).
- Previous research suggests a potential link between dental interventions and IE development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between dental procedures and the subsequent risk of bacteremia and IE.
- To determine if individuals with cardiac preconditions are at higher risk following dental care.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide, population-based cohort study in Denmark involving over 4 million individuals.
- Cox regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios for bacteremia and IE following dental visits, with time-varying exposure.
- Follow-up duration was nine years.
Main Results:
- The adjusted hazard ratio for IE associated with dental procedures was 1.00 (95% CI 0.94-1.08), indicating no increased risk.
- No significant association was found between dental procedures and bacteremia (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92-0.95).
- The risk of IE following dental procedures was similar in high-risk patients (HR 0.96; 95% CI 0.83-1.10).
Conclusions:
- Dental procedures are not associated with an increased risk of bacteremia or infective endocarditis.
- This lack of association applies to both the general population and individuals with high-risk cardiac conditions.
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