Should Dentists Treat Despite Medical Contraindications?

Abstract

Dental treatment is contraindicated by some health conditions. As patients live longer and dentists treat more patients with underlying disease, patients often need general medical care before dental care can proceed. For US patients without access to health care and their dentists, lack of medical-dental integration can generate inequity, poor outcomes, and ethical questions. Individual dentists should advocate for patients who need general health care prior to dental care, but the professions of dentistry and medicine must also respond to macro-level health system gaps and failures.