dental extraction question

[dinaB]

Hi, my daughter has been HIV+ for approx 13 years and on meds the last 3 years. At her last Dr visit her VL was undetectable and her CD4 was about 294. She referred by a dentist to an oral maxillofacial surgeon to have her 2 back molars on the rt and left side extracted. Right now she might have a slight fever and hasn't been feeling too great. Sometimes her meds make her feel lousy for at least half a day. I would just like someone's opinion as to whether we should hold off on this tooth extraction. Its scheduled for Oct. 4. The dentist didn't prescribe antibiotics for her. I'm scared for her to have this surgery because they will have to cut her molars out. Thanks for any input you can give me.

[Matty the Damned]

Dina,

First up you should ask the Dentist to arrange for antibiotics. Really. It's a big deal. All HIV positive people should be given antibiotic cover after invasive dental procedures as a matter of course.

As for putting the procedure off because your daughter has been feeling a bit ill seems a bit premature given the appointment date is October 4th. She may well feel fine by then.

Oh, and welcome to the Forums!

MtD

[MOONLIGHT1114]

What are your daughter's labs like, and does the dentist know she is pos?

I used to work for a dentist and we had a lot of patients pre-medicate with antibiotics.

~Cindy

[dinaB]

Hi Cindy,
Thanks for replying. At her last visit, her viral load was undetectable and her CD4 was about 294. We sent the paperwork to the oral surgeon and stated on it that she was HIV+. Are patients who are HIV+ given antibiotics before the surgery?

[Matty the Damned]

Dina

It's more common for a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxycillin+clavulanic acid to be given after the procedure, which should be sufficient.

MtD