Dental care of patients with organ transplants or prosthetic joints--a survey of specialty hospitals

The aim of the investigation was to collect information from specialized hospitals regarding dental care before and after organ transplantation or replacement of prosthetic joints. 50 transplantation centres and 100 orthopaedic hospitals in Germany were chosen. A questionnaire was used to elucidate the following aspects: Is a dental examination carried out preoperatively? When the patient is discharged, is he or she recommended to have antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment? If so, which antibiotic is recommended? The response rate was 56% (n = 28) for transplantation centres. 89% arranged a dental examination before the transplantation. 83% of those questioned recommend antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment: Amoxicillin was mentioned most frequently (36%). The response rate of the orthopaedic hospitals was 31% (n = 31). 3% of those questioned arranged a dental examination before insertion of an endoprothesis. 55% recommend antibiotic prophylaxis when dental treatment is to be carried out following the insertion of the endoprosthesis. Cephalosporine was most frequently mentioned (33%). It was not possible to identify a uniform recommendation regarding dental care before and after organ transplantation or replacement of prosthetic joints either for patients with an organ transplant or those having a prosthetic joint.