Our Summary

The researchers at King’s College Dental Hospital in London tested a tool used for categorizing the complexity of oral surgery cases according to the guidelines of NHS England. They wondered if clinicians working in less supported environments would face the same challenges in sorting patients. To test this, they used 20 cases from their department, created an online questionnaire, and distributed it to other NHS clinicians. From the 154 responses they got, they found an average agreement of 66.2% with their own categorization of these cases. This finding was similar to a previous local study they had done. The researchers concluded that the NHS guidelines may be unclear and conflict with oral surgery training, which could in some cases lead to inefficiencies in patient care.

FAQs

  1. What was the purpose of the study conducted by the researchers at King’s College Dental Hospital?
  2. What were the results of the research study conducted on the categorization tool used for oral surgery cases?
  3. What conclusion did the researchers make about the NHS guidelines based on their study?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about oral surgery is to carefully follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon. This can help ensure a successful recovery and minimize the risk of complications. It is also important to communicate openly with the surgeon about any concerns or questions regarding the procedure.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for oral surgery include those with impacted wisdom teeth, severe tooth decay, dental infections, jaw misalignment, facial trauma, cysts or tumors in the jaw, and other conditions that require surgical intervention to restore oral health and function.

Timeline

Before oral surgery:

  1. Patient consultation: The patient meets with the oral surgeon to discuss the procedure, risks, and expected outcomes.
  2. Pre-operative evaluation: The patient undergoes a physical examination and may need to undergo additional tests such as blood work or imaging.
  3. Preparing for surgery: The patient may need to stop taking certain medications or fast before the procedure.

After oral surgery:

  1. Post-operative care: The patient is monitored closely after surgery for any complications and given instructions on how to care for their surgical site.
  2. Pain management: The patient may be prescribed pain medication to manage discomfort after the procedure.
  3. Follow-up appointments: The patient will need to attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and address any concerns.
  4. Recovery: The patient will need time to recover from the surgery, which may include restrictions on eating certain foods or engaging in strenuous activities.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with the oral surgery procedure?
  2. How long is the recovery time and what can I expect during the recovery process?
  3. What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure and what are the potential side effects?
  4. Will I need to follow any special instructions or restrictions before and after the surgery?
  5. How many similar procedures have you performed in the past and what is your success rate?
  6. What alternatives to surgery are available and what are the pros and cons of each option?
  7. Will I need any additional treatments or follow-up appointments after the surgery?
  8. How much will the procedure cost and will it be covered by my insurance?
  9. Are there any long-term implications or risks associated with the surgery that I should be aware of?
  10. Can you provide me with any additional information or resources to help me better understand the procedure and make an informed decision?

Reference

Authors: Modgill O, Shah A. Journal: Br Dent J. 2020 Apr;228(8):623-629. doi: 10.1038/s41415-020-1421-1. PMID: 32332965