Dental Care Management for Patients with Hemophilia
Understanding Hemophilia in Dental Care
Hemophilia is a rare disorder in which the blood fails to clot properly due to a deficiency of clotting proteins, known as clotting factors. Individuals with hemophilia experience prolonged bleeding after injuries, making special precautions necessary during dental procedures.
High-risk interventions such as tooth extractions—especially surgical or multiple extractions—periodontal surgeries, dental implants, endodontic surgeries and biopsies require factor replacement therapy.
Consultation with a hematologist—a specialist in diagnosing, treating and researching blood and lymphatic system disorders—is strongly recommended in such cases.
Safe Dental Care for Patients with Hemophilia
Safe dental care for patients with hemophilia requires the following:
- Plan treatment with the patient’s hematologist.
- Use infiltration anaesthesia instead of nerve blocks when possible and maintain clotting factor levels after invasive procedures.
- Have tranexamic acid available to treat bleeding for a short time.
- Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Paracetamol is recommended instead for pain relief.
- Use haemostatic agents to arrest bleeding during treatment.
- Ensure dental teams are prepared for bleeding emergencies and remain in close contact with the patient’s hematology team, especially during highly invasive procedures.
- Gather all relevant medical records, including the patient’s hemophilia type, severity, inhibitor status and history of bleeding complications.
- Share these details with the dentist before the appointment, together with a complete medication list.
- Adhere to prescribed clotting factors.
Aftercare Recommendation
After a dental procedure, strict aftercare is crucial to prevent complications. Patients should adhere to their hematologist’s recommended factor replacement schedule and use paracetamol for pain relief.
These proactive measures help reduce risks and promote optimal oral health.
