ANTIBIOTIC-PROPHYLAXIS FOR DENTAL PATIENTS WITH TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENTS

An expert panel of dentists, orthopaedic surgeons and infectious disea se specialists convened by the American Dental Association and the Ame rican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, performed a thorough r eview of all available data to determine the need for antibiotic proph ylaxis to prevent hematogenous prosthetic joint infections in dental p atients who have undergone total joint arthroplasties. The result is t his report, which has been adopted by both organizations as an advisor y statement. The panel's conclusion: Antibiotic prophylaxis is not ind icated for dental patients with pins, plates and screws, nor is it rou tinely indicated for most dental patients with total joint replacement s. However, it is advisable to consider premedication in a small numbe r of patients who may be at potential increased risk of hematogenous t otal joint infection.