Linking patients’ dental and medical records could improve the safety of treatment

Linking patients’ dental and medical records could improve the outcomes and safety of treatment.

Linking patients’ medical and dental records may improve the safety and outcomes of treatment, according to a new multi-study project from Indiana University School of Dentistry and the Regenstrief Institute.

To provide the best care possible, the team of researchers argue that dental professionals need access to every patient’s complete electronic health record, including current prescriptions and lab test results.
The state the move would benefit oral surgeons, general dentists, prosthodontists, periodontists, hygienists and endodontists.

According to the findings, the most frequently requested medical information by a dental office were history of blood sugar levels and patient diabetes status.

Thankam P. Thyvalikakath, senior author, stated: “Oral health practitioners may need to confirm a list of medical considerations. For example, that there is no contraindication to a patient sitting in a chair for a lengthy procedure. Or whether a patient is taking any medication that could put them at risk for excessive bleeding during a tooth extraction. In this day and age of electronic data transmissions in banking, shopping and other commercial fields, should health professionals still be relying on inefficient, paper-based methods for sharing patient information?”