2021 Volume 41 Issue 4 Pages 336-344
Perioperative dental assessment and oral hygiene management is important not only to avoid tooth injury but also to promote postoperative recovery. In hospitals that have a department of dentistry and oral surgery, patients can be advised to consult a specialist before surgery, but not all hospitals have one. Our hospital does not have such a department, and there were seven reports of tooth injury during the past five years（from April 2015 to March 2020）, most of which occurred at tracheal intubation. If oral hygiene is neglected, the number of microorganisms increases and could cause many diseases.
By consulting a specialist for dental assessment and oral hygiene before surgery, patients can receive proper dental protection and treatment which could allow them to avoid tooth injury and improve postoperative outcomes. It would be beneficial for patients to consult general dental practitioners before surgery. Incidentally, a perioperative oral hygiene management fee can be calculated.
