CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Vol 23, No 6, July 2012
AFRICA
339
disease had dental caries.
29
Untreated dental caries were found
in 36% of 28 children with previous infective endocarditis or a
prosthetic heart valve.
30
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that inadequate attention is paid to the
maintenance of good oral health in black patients with severe
rheumatic heart disease requiring cardiac surgery. It is very
likely that within our healthcare system, the oral health of
patients with less severe rheumatic heart disease who are not
attending specialist cardiac facilities is also suboptimal. This
important aspect of the prevention of infective endocarditis
needs greater attention.
16,17
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