Dental management of organ transplant patients

Abstract:

Solid organ transplantation is an expanding treatment modality in Croatia, drawing interest of dental professionals due to increased possibility of encountering an organ transplant patient seeking dental care. Also, dental health assessment and dental treatment are part of pre-transplantation protocols in most transplantation centers, because active dental infection may lead to a fatal outcome in immunosuppressed patients. Although we do not have evidence-based clinical protocols specifying dental procedures in organ transplant patients, it is generally accepted that these patients should be considered as seriously ill and at risk of dental treatment complications. Specific aspects of each transplantation period, be it pre-transplantation, immediate post-transplantation, stable post-transplantation, or chronic organ rejection period, have to be taken into account, with a common goal of minimizing risks. 

Key words:
antibiotic prophylaxis; bacteremia; dental care for chronically ill; focal infection, dental; immunosuppressive agents; organ transplantation