Assessment of Bleeding Risks and Patient Knowledge Levels About Bleeding Disorders in Patients Referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine patients’ awareness of bleeding disorders in dental clinics and to identify patients with bleeding disorders using the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis-Bleeding Assessment Tools (ISTH-BAT bleeding score before dental surgery.

Methods: Using a survey, 389 patients referred to the dental clinic were evaluated for their knowledge of bleeding disorders and their awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders. The ISTH-BAT score was used to assess the risk of bleeding in the participants.

Results: Of the 389 patients, 194 (49.8%) had heard of bleeding difficulties, whereas 195 (50.2%) had never heard of it. Nearly two-thirds of the 194 patients with low educational levels received information about bleeding diseases, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, from their doctors and teachers in schools rather than from television or social media. They gave correct answers to detailed questions in the range of 28% to 55% about the definition, diagnosis, and therapy of bleeding disorders. Using the ISTH-BAT score, four (1%) of 389 patients were identified as having bleeding risk. These bleeding disorders were caused by drugs, infections, or other uncommon disorders.

Conclusion: Increasing social media educational activity on bleeding disorders to raise awareness and knowledge in less educated people, as well as the use of ISTH-BAT score to identify a potential bleeder patient, may assist patients planning dental surgery.