Management recommendations for invasive dental treatment in patients using oral antithrombotic medication, including novel oral anticoagulants

Objective
The aims were (1) to search the scientific literature from 2007 to 2012 for guidelines and new studies on the dental management of patients using oral antithrombotic medication; (2) to summarize the articles' evidence and recommendations; and (3) to propose an updated clinical practice guideline for general dentists.

Study Design
A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Guideline websites, from October 2007 to October 2012, produced articles that were critically evaluated.

Results
The systematic literature search for guidelines yielded 74 citations (MEDLINE, 45; Embase, 22; and the Guideline websites, 7). Of these, only 2 guideline publications and 2 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. They yielded 32 recommendations.

Conclusions
The evidence and subsequent recommendations from published guidelines all point in the same direction: do not interrupt oral antithrombotic medication, not even dual antiplatelet therapy, in simple dental procedures.