High prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among other medically compromised conditions in dental patients: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Over the last few decades, oral health care has become a greater priority as people live longer with serious medical conditions and disabilities. As a result, they require more comprehensive dental treatment. We are now, more than ever, at a turning point in history where dental care, or more broadly oral health care, is an integral part of medical care. Therefore, a need was felt to study the prevalence of medically compromised patients seeking dental treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was a retrospective study conducted by reviewing the patient records starting from 1(st) January 2009 to 31(st) December 2010 for the presence of medically compromised conditions. Demographic data of the patients was also collected. RESULTS The prevalence of medically compromised conditions in dental patients of our hospital in the present study was 1.02%. The Cardiovascular diseases accounted to be the most prevalent condition (57.87%) followed by Endocrine disorders (35.73%). CONCLUSION Even though the prevalence of medically compromised conditions in dental patients is not high, dentists should bear in mind that some of the patients may harbor such conditions, which are contraindicated for certain dental procedures or medication or require special attention when treating these patients.