Medicine
Infective Endocarditis Prophylaxis for Dental Procedures
Quick fact
Current guidelines from the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology recommend antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures only for the very highest-risk patients—such as those with prosthetic heart valves or a history of infective endocarditis—meaning the vast majority of dental patients do not need it.
Why this is interesting
You're about to have a dental cleaning, and your dentist asks about your heart history—but for many people, no antibiotics are needed. Ever wondered why some patients get a prescription and others don't?