Is dental clearance needed?

[watson524]

Something I just thought of.... is clearance from your dentist always required before OHS? Grant it when they called today thinking it'd be 2 separate trips to Cleveland Clinc, no one said anything about my mom getting clearance from her dentist but I'm just wondering if that'll be required since we might not get much notice.

My mom just had a cap chip but because of possible pending surgery (and the string of 6 caps on the bottom front that are ceramic or whatever over supporting metal that they couldn't jackhammer off) the dentist opted to just "glue" the chip in and leave things as is under after it was decided what would happen with the surgery.

 

[Greg a]

You will want to let CC know all the factors of dental health care I had to do some extra dentist trips and delay the implantation of my ICD as I had been on a vent too long the year before

 

[Jkm7]

Most cardiothoracic surgeons require a dental clearance before OHS. They want to be sure there is no infection in your mouth. It's quite important and most also instruct no dental visits for six months after surgery. No cleanings, no dental visits.

 

[watson524]

Ok thanks. I think once we get a confirmed date to head out, I will call ahead to see what they need in anticipation of going out once only for tests and surgeries. One concern is that if they do by chance stick with Tuesday to meet with Dr. Hobbs, I don't think our dentist works tomorrow and I'm not sure if his partner would do it and we'd be driving out Monday.

 

[Lily]

Yes, it is needed!

Yes, it is needed!

Good question; I hadn't remembered this important detail from my first heart surgery and ended up becoming a bit frantic and chasing around a couple of days before [the second heart] surgery to get the okay from my dentist.

 

[scott.eitman]

Yes, the CCF will want this. To the best of my knowledge, it was not about the caps, but rather getting a clearance that there is no gum desease/infections.

Scott

 

[watson524]

Ok I think I better start making some phone calls today. Do you know how far in advance is the most they'll accept it from? i.e. if we got something today/Monday, would that be ok for a week or so? I'm assuming it's just some form the dentist already has or some letter he types up or something?

thanks!

 

[Jkm7]

That time span is fine. I had my dental check about 2-3 weeks prior to my second surgery.

 

[watson524]

Ok. I mean they were saying come out this Tuesday for pre testing before the local cardio's secretary realized we wanted to do this all in one trip since we're driving from about 8 hours away so now I'm not sure but I better plan for it and it the dental check has to be redone, so be it.

thanks for all the info!

 

[scott.eitman]

I had mime within two weeks. Call your surgeon's secretary or nurse. They will be able to answer that question.

 

[watson524]

Well it's a darn good thing I asked. I called the dentist, they said no problem, just get the form or we can do a letter. IF we end up having to go out on Monday for Tuesday testing and such, the dentist can fit her in Monday before we go.

Called the local cardio's office to ask about a form, the woman never heard of a dental clearance...

Got to the online chat with CCF (that capability is great!) and they said the form would be mailed before surgery (I asked about emailing me a form now but that didn't sound like an option). I explained that we may not have time for that based on our travel, only taking one trip out there etc. and she said coming with a letter from the dentist would be fine so that's what we'll do. We should hear something back today since if they still wanted us there Tuesday, we'd be in the car all day on Monday.

thanks all!

 

[carolinemc]

The surgereon wants the dental clearance for infection resaoning. The doctor wants to make sure that there is no other way of infection to interfere with the recover after surgery. Infection can be deadly after surgery. So be sure she gets that clearance done right away. All the dentist has to do is look real good at the teeth and gums, looking for any sign of infection in the mouth, gums, or teeth. Encarditis is the worst infection and can cone from infection the teeth and gums. So the doctors wants to eliminate all chances of problems before surgery.

 

[Lily]

I think the dental checks are done because of possible infections, but I understood it was also because the doctors don't want loose teeth chipping or breaking off or getting knocked out by the vents. It happens :eek2: