New Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Hemophilia
Oral health has always been important to hemophilia patients. Understandably, it has also been an area of concern. But given recent advances in therapies, hemophilia patients no longer face the bleeding risks they once did, and are now living unimpeded lives.
So says Dr. Alison Dougall, Professor at the School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, President Elect of the IADH, and Former Chair of the World Federation of Hemophilia. Her message to dentists is clear: it is safe to treat patients with hemophilia.
“There is a myth among dentists that as soon as they touch a hemophilia patient, they are going to start bleeding. This is not true. Given today’s therapies, restorative care and general preventative care are now safe.”
In conversation with Dr. John O’Keefe, Director of Knowledge Networks CDA, Dr. Doughall introduces the new guidelines from the World Federation of Hemophilia for the management of patients with hemophilia. The document is the result of two years’ work involving more than a hundred international doctors, nurses and hemophilia care team workers, and for the first time includes oral health as an integral part of interdisciplinary care.
In what she describes as an exciting time in hemophilia care, Dr. Dougall explains how the new guidelines reflect a reduced risk to hemophilia patients and encourage doctors and other members of the care team to enable dental care. And though this does not mean that dental care should not be risk assessed and closely coordinated with the hemophilia team, dentists may be surprised how much they can do without implementing any special measures.
We hope you find the conversation useful. We welcome your thoughts, questions and/or suggestions about this post and other topics. Leave a comment in the box below or send us your feedback by email.
Until next time!
CDA Oasis Team
