Dental Issue

[Judles]

An hour before, Kim!!! (Has this subject been dissected enough yet!!!)

 

[Brian]

So what is YOUR take on the antibiotics before going for a dental appointment, Brian? ...

I am not sure what proportion of his patients are private and NHS (if any). If they are all private then the patient pays for anti-biotics. I believe my dentist has only NHS patients so he may have to adhere to NICE guidelines.

My take is that you have had an op costing thousands of £ or $ and causing you and your family a certain amount of hassle so you shouldn't want to risk anything that will adversely affect your TKR. I will ask my doc when I next see him.

 

[Brian]

I have just found the following in the Clinical Knowledge Summaries on the NHS Direct website here.

Infection
There is a risk that you may develop an infection after your surgery. This can usually be treated with antibiotics.

In rare cases, a severe infection can require removal and replacement of the artificial joint (revision surgery).

You may also need to take preventative antibiotics before dental work or other surgery in the two years following your knee replacement. This is to prevent an infection developing in your replacement knee. Speak to your doctor or specialist for advice.
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This is similar to the advice given on About.com: Orthopedics here, which I think is a US site. This also makes special reference to patients, like myself, with RA.

Immunocompromised/Immunosuppressed Patients
These include patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other conditions that can affect the immune system. Patients who take medications or receive radiation treatment that can alter the immune system should also have antibiotics prior to dental work.
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Now, in the UK who decides whether or not to prescribe you anti-biotics - your dentist or doctor? Perhaps Jo will know.