Background. The use of anticoagulants is ubiquitous in
outpatient medical practice, with anticoagulants now among the most common
classes of medications prescribed in the United States. Despite its safety,
anticoagulation around minimally invasive dental procedures remains a source of
discomfort for dental practitioners and a common reason for referral to
specialist anticoagulation clinics.
The introduction of new anticoagulant options, as well as the changing
practice pattern in anticoagulant prescription, somewhat contributes
to this situation. Reviewing the
commonly used anticoagulants in outpatient medical practice, as well as
their implications in dental practice, is integral to providing safe oral
health care.
