Evaluating the effect of dental screenings on infective endocarditis risk in heart valve surgery patients

Impact of Targeted Preoperative Dental Screening on Post-procedural Risk of Infective Endocarditis in Patients Undergoing Surgical Valve Replacement: a Prospective Observational Study

Observational Odense University Hospital · NCT06403839

This study is testing whether changing dental screening procedures can lower the risk of infective endocarditis in patients having heart valve surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorOdense University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Odense)
Trial IDNCT06403839 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study at Odense University Hospital examines the impact of changing preoperative dental screening protocols on the risk of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients undergoing surgical valve replacement. The study compares the incidence of IE before and after the implementation of a targeted dental screening approach starting in March 2024. Given the high risk of IE in patients with prosthetic left-sided valves, the study aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of dental screenings in reducing this risk. The findings will be based on registry data and will help inform future guidelines and practices.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients scheduled to undergo surgical valve replacement.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgical valve replacement or those with urgent surgical needs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved guidelines for dental screenings, potentially reducing the incidence of infective endocarditis in surgical valve replacement patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown no significant difference in IE risk between mandatory and no preoperative dental screening, making this investigation particularly relevant.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing surgical valve replacement

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Where this trial is running

Odense

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Surgical Valve ReplacementDentalEndocarditis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.