Dental Screenings for Patients Undergoing Organ Transplants

Rodney Goodie serves as CEO of the St. Hope Foundation in Houston. In this position, Rodney Goodie leads the organization through strategic planning, budgeting, and financial oversight. The St. Hope Foundation works to provide innovative and collaborative health care solutions for people suffering from serious illnesses, including dental screenings for patients preparing to undergo organ transplants.

When preparing to receive an organ transplant, patients must schedule an appointment with a qualified dentist who is able to work closely with the patient’s physician. Patients undergoing transplants are likely to develop serious infections due to the immunosuppression drugs they must take. Many of those infections can start in the mouth as a result of poor oral hygiene or untreated dental conditions.

At a pre-transplant dental appointment, the dentist will review the patient’s existing health conditions, discuss the medications he or she is currently taking, and assess the risk of oral infection following necessary dental procedures. In addition, the dentist will require the patient to sign a medical release prior to undergoing the recommended treatment.

After the patient’s medical history has been thoroughly discussed, the dentist will perform a noninvasive exam to determine which procedures are necessary prior to the transplant. The dentist will then collaborate with the patient’s doctor regarding strategies to counteract excessive bleeding and the possibility of infection. Once a plan is set in place, the dentist can begin the planned procedures, eliminating all sites that present risk for future infection.