Dental Check ups.

[515444Grhmr]

I have just seen posts about dental check ups before op. Is this so, do we have to have dental check. Finding a Dentust won’t be easy.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Yes it is true you are required to have a dental check up before your op

I would start making some calls now even though it might be hard to find one but explain your situation and what you are going to be having done and why this makes it even more important you have a dentist

Let us know how you get on x

[Taviterry]

You don't say what your operation is for, but I imagine that for any procedure involving the heart a dental check-up is very strongly advised, as any decay can prejudice the success of the operation . In the case of my TAVI (new heart valve), dental worked needed to be avoided for six months afterwards. As luck would have it, I broke off a tooth three months' later, but the dentist saw no need to remove the stump for the time being.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Yiou must have the check. A friend had six-monthly checks but hiks wife only goes when she has a problem. She said everything was fine and had been admitted . The anesthetist came around for a chat and asked her to open wide. He sent her home on the spot and told her to get her teeth sorted. As the anesthetist explained bedsides the decay which could cause infection (particularly with the valve surgery she was having) two teeth were lose and if one came out mid operation there as a chance it could get into the lung with potentially fatal results. They will operate with teeth issues in an emergency but not with elective surgery.

[Wurliwonder]

I ended up in A&E with an Aortic Valve problem. At the time I had a broken tooth but was too unwell to be sent home to have dental treatment. The hospital arranged a visit to a local dentist and a week later I had the tooth removed. I spent over 6 weeks in hospital awaiting the TAVI procedure as I have other health issues but all seems fine at present.

Finding a dentist can be a problem as some aren't even taking on new private patients.

[grapebanana]

Hello,

during pre-assessment check the nurse breathed a sigh of relief that I had had a dental check up the week before. I'd only known about the necessity because a friend needed one prior to a kidney transplant. I think someone could have mentioned it earlier as I've been down to have a valve repair for several months. I rang my dentist and got an appointment for a check-up within a week by saying I was having OHS. Although I am a patient, appointments are like gold. Good luck.

[FiftyRoy]

I had to have a tooth extracted some months before my valve replacement as the dentist was concerned about previous root canal work. There are bacteria issues with teeth which can affect the heart and even after surgery if I need intrusive teeth work I have to have a strong dose of antibiotics an hour before treatment!

[Bowlsnut]

yes I had a dental check up before op. Apparently if you have an infection it affects your heart. I paid £85 for a private check up .

[Dimelza66]

Yes, it's important. I had to have a root canal completed before my surgery. Now before any minor op (including dental extractions, root canals... Anything classed as minor surgery, not fillings or cleaning) I have to take antibiotics one hour prior. There is a direct connection between oral infection and the heart valves. Always complete dental work prior to surgery.

[Digger0]

My ex-dentist would not see me pre op in 2022 as it had been 2 years (had they not heard of the dreaded C? So I looked on line for the County emergency dentist ( mine had 3, 1 for normal people, 1 for people at risk and 1 at the other end of the county.) I phoned the "normal" one and explalned the problem and they got me in and did the work needed (2 chipped teeth ) within 3 weeks! Try this nhsemergencydentist.co.uk/d... presuming you are in England

[Shabana1974]

Hi call 111 and explain you situation they are very good and they have a list of appointments at there fingertips. My daughter moved to Leicester 9 years ago and has still not been able to register with an NHS dentist. So she's still registered at her childhood dentist in London

[cotonh]

We asked the surgeon who is going to do my husband's CABG and he said not to worry, so we haven't but all this advice helpful if he finds out he does need to. We have a prehabilitation session coming up so can double check there.

[Morges]

oh dental issues. I am having problems with a new dentist who identified 2 teeth need to come out, and 3 fillings replaced. Then he said I should speak his colleague about the implants. When I asked for just the fillings he said he would only do them if I signed up for the implant work - 2 implants £6k each, 3 fillings £1800. Check up £180 ; appointment for the implants £230. All appointments have to be prepaid

Needless to say I don't want to part with that much money. I was very shocked and now looking at my options.

I've had very good reports of work done in Hungary.....but not keen on the air miles