Blog
Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the UK — and they have significant implications for dental treatment.
This comprehensive clinical guide explains how SSRIs (sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine, escitalopram), venlafaxine, mirtazapine and amitriptyline affect bleeding risk, xerostomia, caries development, local anaesthetic use and dental prescribing. Learn how to manage extraction bleeding, avoid serotonin syndrome, identify high-risk patients, and implement preventive protocols to protect both your patients and your practice.
👉 Read the full guide on statins and dental treatment.
Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions seen in dental practice — and the medications used to manage it can significantly impact patient safety during treatment. From hypoglycaemia emergencies to delayed wound healing and increased infection risk, understanding how drugs like Metformin, Gliclazide, Insulin, Empagliflozin (Jardiance), and Semaglutide affect dental care is essential for modern dental teams.
Whether you are a dentist, dental nurse, hygienist, therapist, or practice manager, this article provides practical, chairside guidance to help you treat diabetic patients safely and confidently.
👉 Read the full guide to strengthen your medical emergency preparedness and improve outcomes for patients living with diabetes.
Statins such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin are among the most commonly prescribed medications in adult dental patients. While these cholesterol-lowering drugs are generally safe for dental procedures, they are a significant marker of underlying cardiovascular disease. Dental teams must understand how statin use impacts treatment planning, stress management, anesthesia considerations, and patient positioning.
This comprehensive guide explores the dental relevance of statins, including cardiovascular risk assessment, muscle pain (myalgia) complaints, potential antibiotic interactions, and implications for oral surgery and periodontal care. Whether you’re treating routine hygiene patients or managing medically complex cases, recognizing what statin use represents is essential for delivering safe, comprehensive dentistry.
Learn how to confidently manage patients taking statins and integrate medical risk awareness into everyday dental practice.
👉 Read the full guide on statins and dental treatment.
Hypertension affects over a quarter of UK adults, meaning dental teams routinely treat patients taking medications such as amlodipine, ramipril, losartan, bisoprolol and atenolol. While these drugs are generally safe in dental practice, they carry important clinical considerations — including postural hypotension, gingival overgrowth, stress-related cardiovascular risk and safe use of adrenaline-containing local anaesthetic.
This comprehensive, UK-focused guide aligns with NICE NG136 and SDCEP Management of Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice to provide clear, practical advice for general dental practice. It covers blood pressure thresholds, when to defer treatment, managing syncope risk, documentation requirements for GDC compliance, and governance considerations for CQC inspections.
Designed for dentists, dental hygienists, therapists and practice teams, this evidence-informed resource supports safe, confident management of hypertensive patients in everyday practice.
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Drugs in Dentistry: UK Guidance (SDCEP & NICE)
Managing patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication is now routine in UK dental practice. With increasing prescriptions for DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban), warfarin, aspirin and dual antiplatelet therapy, dental teams must understand current SDCEP and NICE guidance to reduce bleeding risk while avoiding dangerous thrombotic complications.
This comprehensive guide explains when dental treatment can proceed, safe INR thresholds for warfarin patients, whether apixaban should be stopped before extraction, and how to manage patients on dual antiplatelet therapy. It also outlines essential local haemostatic measures and medico-legal documentation requirements to protect your GDC registration.
If you’re unsure about managing anticoagulated patients safely, this evidence-based UK guide provides clear, practical answers aligned with national standards.
👉 Read the full guide to ensure safe, confident practice.