Developing Pre-Surgical Dental Algorithms for Enhanced Patient Care

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to identify major health risk factors among Latino patients and develop pre-surgical algorithms based on the most common risk factors to prevent complications before, during and after dental surgery.

Methods

A thorough literature review was conducted using CINAHL and PubMed to identify scholarly articles that address health risk factors in the Latino population, and to identify Evidence-based protocols used at outpatient surgery center. The top-ranked health risk factors associated with dental surgery were identified.

Results and Findings

The literature review yielded five evidence-based articles identifying the top health-risk factors: patients on anticoagulation therapy, heart valve replacement, active atrial fibrillation, and medications associated with delayed gastrointestinal emptying such as Semaglutide. Four pre-surgical algorithms were developed after review. The pre-surgical algorithms will guide surgical protocols and procedures at Alamo City Dental.

Conclusion and Implications for Practice

As dentists continue to provide preventative and emergency dental services, the need for addressing health risk factors related to the decrease in access to primary care by their patients is increasing. This added workload and responsibility in becoming the first point of contact for patients with undiagnosed chronic conditions can become overwhelming. In addition, with the decrease in dental service and access to primary care in underserved areas, it is vital to reinforce and improve interprofessional collaboration and education regarding preventive dental hygiene in patients among medical professionals. With the collaboration and creation of these pre-surgical algorithms, dentist may now have the ability to enhance patient care, safety, and decrease emergency complications before, during and after dental surgery.