Are there any special concerns for patients having cardiac or non-cardiac surgery?
In patients with caries or active gum disease, elective surgery is usually postponed until the dental issues have been resolved. This generally involves consultation with a dentist or oral surgeon and may include dental extractions or other operative treatment. To avoid unnecessary delays to surgery, and inconvenience with rescheduling, it is important for all patients who have upcoming surgery to have a dental evaluation. This screening can be done by the patient’s primary physician or cardiologist, with referral to an oral surgeon if necessary.
