Associations Between Comorbidities, Medication Use and Dental Outcomes in Clinical Practice in Hail Dental Centre in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Patients with medical conditions present unique challenges in dental practice, requiring modifications to treatment protocols and heightened awareness of potential complications. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients is crucial for providing safe and effective care.

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence and patterns of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients, and to explore possible links between medical conditions and dental health outcomes.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study was conducted on 383 dental patients in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Demographic information, medical history, medication profiles, and dental health parameters were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the sample and associations between medical conditions, medications, and dental health outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 51.5 years (SD = 16.5), with a female predominance (65%). The prevalence of diabetes was 53.5%, hypertension 49.6%, and hypothyroidism 23.0%. Polypharmacy (≥ 5 medications) occurred in 8.4% of patients. Commonly used medications included antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and analgesics. The mean number of active dental caries was 1.37 per patient. Significant associations were observed between diabetes and the number of active caries, and hypertension was associated with increased dental pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the high prevalence of medical conditions and medication use among dental patients, emphasising the importance of comprehensive medical history assessment in dental practice. Understanding these patterns can inform treatment planning, risk assessment, and preventive strategies for medically compromised dental patients.