Key result
Despite universal awareness, only 38% of dental professionals always follow SDCEP guidance for managing DOACs.
Why the study?
The study aimed to inform the implementation of updated SDCEP guidance and identify training needs by assessing dental professionals' current practices and beliefs regarding patients on anticoagulants or antiplatelets.
Cross-Sectional (n=157)
Dental professionals show good awareness of anticoagulant guidance but require further educational support for managing patients on LMWHs and DOACs.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Low adherence to SDCEP guidance despite full awareness warrants targeted education for dentists; leaves open barriers to DOAC management compliance.
AIM: This study aimed to inform the implementation of the updated Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) guidance, 'Management of Dental Patients taking Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet Drugs', and to determine training needs by investigating dental professionals' current practice and beliefs regarding management of patients taking these medications. METHODS: Dental professionals were recruited via the NHS Education for Scotland Portal. The online questionnaire collected demographic information, data on current practice and information about beliefs regarding behaviours related to the management of patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and subjected to frequency calculations, t-tests, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. Qualitative data were collected via free text boxes and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven participants responded to the questionnaire. The majority of respondents stated they were aware of the guidance and always based their practice on it. The majority of respondents always assessed the patient's individual bleeding risk prior to dental procedures. Most respondents felt that they did not know how to appropriately manage patients taking low doses of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), and only 38% of respondents always followed SDCEP guidance about direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) medication and procedures with a low associated risk of bleeding. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates a need for further educational support surrounding LMWHs and management of patients on DOAC medication. Time and remuneration represent barriers to guidance implementation in primary care. CONCLUSION: There is good awareness and adherence to the guidance in primary care settings, however training needs were identified to support implementation.
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Kelly et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Dental professionals managing patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs (n=157). Management of patients taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs was evaluated on Awareness and adherence to SDCEP guidance. Although all surveyed dental professionals were aware of the SDCEP guidance, only 38% always followed the recommendations for managing direct oral anticoagulants during low-bleeding-risk procedures.
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