Sandra Stramoski, RDH, MSDH, is an associate professor in the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she teaches pharmacology, radiology and research methods. A past president of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists’ Association she has also worked in clinical practice for more than 20 years. Stramoski is a member of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene’s Peer Review Panel.
In order to safely and effectively manage this patient population, oral health professionals should be able to recognize the medical indications for which antiplatelets are prescribed and understand their adverse effects.
Special considerations are needed when providing dental care to patients taking novel oral anticoagulants.
By Sandra Stramoski, RDH, MSDH, and Anna Matthews, RDH, MS