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dentists, and taking antibiotics


Robyn Openshaw - May 30, 2011 - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


Here’s a letter I got recently from a wonderful dentist who reads this blog/site. I won’t give my own response until I hear some of yours. What are your thoughts?

Dear GreenSmoothieGirl:

I think you are pretty conservative and avoid antibiotics, but I had an interesting experience recently in my dental practice that I want to share with you.   You influence a lot of people to make better choices for their health, and if you agree with me and my position as a health care provider and trying to do what is in the best interest of my patients, maybe you can pass this on to your readers.   The AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) currently recommends that persons who have had total joint replacements should take one dose of antibiotics one hour prior to high risk dental procedures (not a whole week of antibiotics, just one dose) to avoid bacteremias forming in the artificial joint and causing a systemic infection and possibly failure of the artificial joint.   I had a patient recently who refused to take an antibiotic before a procedure because she avoids taking antibiotics in general.

I contacted her orthopaedic surgeon, and the nurse from his office recommended the same protocol for her, and she still refused.   She walked out of my office informing me there was no way she was going to take the antibiotics and she would find another dentist who would do the work without making her take the antibiotics.   I worry about her health and the risks she is taking.   I also worry about the dentist she finds to treat her without following the standards of care, as his license may be in jeopardy for treating her this way if complications were to arise anytime down the road.

I try to avoid antibiotics whenever I can for myself, but there are times when it may be worth the major complications which could arise.   I am not willing to put my license and my career on the line to treat someone who refuses to follow the written protocols and standards of care for surgeries which they have had done in the past, which now place them in a higher risk category.   I don’t know if you understand what I am saying here, but let me know if you agree or disagree with me.

Posted in: Dental Health

7 thoughts on “dentists, and taking antibiotics”

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  1. Though I believe AB’s have their place…. I also feel that they should be avoided whenever possible. I agree with Tammie that freedom of choice is very important. I also wonder what approaches the Doctors take in informing people of their choices. For instance….. as I discussed this topic with my husband, he had no recollection of whether or not he was given an AB prior to his oral surgery. However….. it’s been a while since his surgery and neither of us remember. We are thinking that it was just a ‘form/questionnaire’ that the patient fills out and the Doctor proceeds accordingly. I’m curious now whether they even ask if you are OK with taking an AB prior to or just have you list what your allergies are….. has me wondering now. As I mentioned, it’s been a long while since his surgery. But I believe the patient has the right to make an informed decision.

    Since there are so many people asking about healthy alternatives on this forum…. I thought you might find the following information interesting. Recently my husband and I started taking a product that is native to the body…. not just natural, but native. It has done wonders on balancing out our body’s cells to help them deal with many issues and we continue to feel it benefiting us and our loved ones in an amazing way. I have not had one cold or infection for 7 months since taking it and I usually get 2 or 3 per winter season. Plus I’ve seen numerous other benefits from taking it. If you want to check it out click here. Taking this along with a healthy eating style like Robyn recommends could help with so many of the issues that have been discussed in this forum. There are many other places to get it, and that’s wonderful… do what works for you….. but clicking on the link will at least introduce you to what it is.

  2. Absolutely crazy idea and fed by the Pharmacy Dragon!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Yes I do agree avoiding antibiotics is wise. They should be reserved for life and death situations only. As to not eating meat and other animal protein… I do believe that our bodies do need that kind of protein, but only from a healthy source such as grass fed fre roaming humanely slaughtered animal. Also cosumed in as raw state as possible to preserve enzymes which are destroyed by cooking. The negative vibration in mainstream “manufactured” animal protein with antibiotics, pesticides and GMO is a sure way to disease.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Robyn, how much of the Goldenseal & Echinacea tincture did you use, and can you give it to children?

    Thanks! I’m loving all of these answers, I love learning from other people what they have and have not tried, what has worked and what hasn’t.

    1. Robyn Openshaw says:

      Becky, there’s no real dosing strategy, so just read the bottle on the tincture and stay within that. YES you can give it to kids–I have done so many times.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I totally agree with the dentists patient. She has every right to deny taking antibiotics. As for the dentist, I would not want you to be my dentist. She probably left your office feeling like she was stupid and misunderstood. Mr. Dentist some people are not stupid and it is not all in there heads. We DO NOT want to take antibiotics!! (unless it is really really really necessary). There are actually other options out there!! REALLY there is.

    I hope your ex patient has found a dentist who will listen to her and treat her anyway without letting government BS and lawyer intimidation interfere with their decision making.

    Thanks for letting me voice my opinion.

    Cheryl

  6. Anonymous says:

    when will you be in southern california? I am so ready to come to your classes. I never thought of myself as fat because I was never this big before, now topping 200 lbs. I really need to grow a spine, but quick, always know vegetarianism was the best way but still have been slowly putting on the weight. I’m 65 yrs old..will I look older when I loose the weight? loose skin? flabby belly? ……signed, READY AND WILLING

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