Oral Infection Screening Before Surgery or Medical Treatment
An oral infection may need attention before planned treatment
An oral health assessment may be requested before dental implants, certain cardiac procedures or cancer treatment. Dr Solène Vo Quang assesses possible sources of infection in Paris and coordinates appropriate care with the team treating you.
When an infection has few symptoms
Some infections involving a root-treated tooth or the tissues around a tooth cause little pain. Your health and planned treatment help determine whether investigation or treatment is needed.
Before surgery
Your team may request an oral assessment before certain cardiac procedures, a transplant or another planned operation. For joint replacement, the decision depends on your individual circumstances.
Before cancer treatment
An oral care plan may be needed before head and neck radiotherapy, some chemotherapy regimens or medicines that affect the jaw. Timing and treatment are coordinated with the oncology team.
Before dental implants
The pre-implant assessment considers existing infection, the neighbouring teeth and the health of the gums and bone.
When your doctor is investigating unexplained symptoms
Your doctor may consider an oral source when investigating persistent fever or other unexplained symptoms. Such symptoms have many possible causes and do not establish a dental diagnosis.
What is an oral source of infection?
An oral source of infection is an infected area involving a tooth, the gum or nearby tissues. Some chronic infections cause few symptoms. An oral assessment looks for problems that may need treatment, particularly when another medical treatment is planned.
Possible findings include:
- Infection involving a root-treated tooth or deep tooth decay.
- An infected lesion around the tip of a tooth root.
- Peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition around a dental implant.
- Advanced periodontal disease affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth.
- An infection at a previous extraction site.
A lack of pain does not rule out an oral problem. Findings need to be interpreted through a clinical examination and, when indicated, imaging.
Why might your medical team request this assessment?
The aim is to identify oral disease and plan appropriate care alongside your other treatment. The need for screening depends on the procedure and your individual risks. It may be requested when planning:
- Oral or maxillofacial surgery.
- Dental implant treatment.
- Certain cardiac operations, a transplant or another procedure for which your team requests an oral assessment.
- Cancer treatment that may affect oral health, such as head and neck radiotherapy or some chemotherapy regimens.
Screening is not a universal requirement before every operation, and it cannot guarantee that complications will be prevented. For hip or knee replacement, the AAOS notes that routine dental screening may not reduce prosthetic joint infection risk. The decision should be individualised with the treating team.
What happens at Dr Solène Vo Quang's practice?
The assessment is adapted to your dental history, health and planned treatment:
- Discussion and examination. Review of your dental and medical history, current medicines and symptoms such as tenderness, bleeding, swelling or an unpleasant taste.
- Imaging when indicated. Dental X-rays may help assess roots and bone. A panoramic X-ray or 3D cone-beam scan is selected only when appropriate for the clinical question.
- Assessment of suspicious areas. Findings such as an infected root, periodontal pocket or inflammation around an implant are considered alongside the examination.
- A care plan. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve periodontal care, root-canal treatment or extraction of a tooth that cannot be retained. Care is coordinated with the relevant clinicians.
The purpose is to manage identified disease and plan care. It does not sterilise the mouth or remove every risk associated with surgery.
What can the assessment help with?
It can help the team to:
- Identify an oral problem that needs attention before planned treatment.
- Plan care for existing infection or chronic gum disease.
- Assess teeth, gums and bone before implant treatment.
- Discuss oral findings with your medical team when they may affect care.
- Allow time for necessary dental treatment and follow-up.
Before certain cancer treatments, identifying and managing oral problems can reduce their severity during treatment. Your dental and oncology teams should coordinate the plan, including how much treatment is appropriate before therapy starts.
Who else may need an oral assessment?
An assessment may also be appropriate outside a surgical pathway. Your dentist or doctor can advise if you have:
- Recurrent oral infections, or symptoms for which your doctor is investigating a possible oral cause.
- A medical condition or treatment that affects how dental care should be planned.
- A need for a routine dental review or concerns about your oral health.
The timing and frequency of follow-up should reflect your oral health and medical situation. An annual specialist infection assessment is not a blanket recommendation for everyone.
Arrange an assessment in Paris 16
Dr Solène Vo Quang's practice is at 7 rue Marbeau, Paris 16. Bring any referral, relevant imaging, a list of medicines and information about the proposed operation or treatment so the assessment can be planned appropriately.
Sources: National Cancer Institute: oral care before cancer treatment; AAOS: dental screening and hip or knee replacement.
What to remember
Four practical points when an assessment is requested
Plan ahead
Arrange the assessment when treatment is being planned, so there is time for any necessary dental care and healing.
Look beyond symptoms
Examination and imaging, when indicated, can help assess areas that are not visible or painful.
Treat according to the findings
The care plan may involve dental treatment, periodontal care or extraction. The timing is agreed with the team responsible for your wider care.
Coordinate care
The findings and care plan can be shared with the surgeon, oncologist, cardiologist or other referring clinician.
Guides to oral infection screening
Understand the assessment, why it may be requested and how it fits into your care.
The assessment
Sources of infection
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Book an appointment with a stomatologist in Paris
A stomatologist assesses conditions that may require specialist care, including oral surgery, lesions of the mouth or tongue, sleep apnoea and complex wisdom teeth. This first consultation helps establish what is happening and discuss the next steps before any treatment decision.
We listen to you
Tell us about your pain, discomfort, concerns about a lesion or difficulty sleeping. You can raise any question during the consultation.
We examine the problem
A clinical examination, with imaging if needed, helps assess your situation.
A clear plan to take home
You leave with an explanation of the findings and, where appropriate, a treatment plan and written estimate. You can take time to consider the proposed care.
Choose an appointment
Appointments via Doctolib