Disclosing medical information to your dentist: how much, and what is relevant?

[MrsExpo]

... bit of a frustrated rant ... sorry ...

DH went to the dentist yesterday for a routine check up, but been having some issues with tooth ache/discomfort, especially in his back teeth on both sides. The dentist asked him if there was any change in his general health, on any medication etc etc as part of the routine of doing the examination. DH replied that nothing significant had changed, and exam proceeded.

So "nothing significant" to my DH apparently includes his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer and commencement of monthly hormone injections, as well as taking another medication orally once per day to generally support his urinary function. But somehow he didn't seem to think that was relevant to his teeth/dental health so didn't tell the dentist.

I argued that he should have told the dentist about this, but he says what's his prostate got to do with his teeth. Turns out the dentist thinks the general discomfort in DH's teeth is caused by him grinding his teeth in his sleep as a result of stress. But he STILL didn't mention it!!

....

Would you have "mentioned" this to the dentist under these circumstances.

(ETA .... I went to the same dentist myself the day before for a treatment and was tempted to tell him myself as I just knew DH wouldn't say anything. (I didn't, however, as it would have been a breach of DH's privacy and I thought I could rely on him to be a grown up and tell a qualified medical professional what was going on with his health!!!! ....... )

You should always tell a dentist all your medical history you are right
I’d had sepsis late pregnancy loss and 11 blood transfusions in 3 months there’s no way I’d keep that from someone who’s sticking needles and medication in my mouth

Was he maybe embaressed and didn't want to go into detail about his cancer but yeah you are right he should have said something because your medical conditions and medications can have something to do with teeth.

A lot of health conditions require medications that affect blood clotting... I think that's one reason a dentist might need to know what you're taking before they start rummaging around in your mouth.

Also I've heard that if you have stents or joint replacements you might need to have antibiotics as a precaution before any invasive dental treatments such as root canals.

Yes, the prostate cancer was relevant to the dentist. As you point out, stress making you grind your teeth.

But then there are lots of other things to do with medication the dentist needs to know - if you are on blood thinners and he/she is about to start poking about in your jaw, certain types of bone protector medication put you at risk of dental medication (and he might be on these if he has prostate cancer), as Kettle says for some procedures you may need antibiotic prophylaxis if you have certain medical conditions, you may have developed allergies, if the dentist is going to prescribe you antibiotics or painkillers they may interact with your existing medications....

The list goes on and on and your DH is an idiot. But I suspect you have pointed that out to him now.

I tell my dentist everything but then I'm a talker.

My DH has a (usually) genetic heart condition and when my kids go to the dentist we always mention it.