Knowledge and practices of dentists to prevent infective endocarditis: a systematic review.

Infective endocarditis is an inflammatory disease that affects the endocardium and may originate in the oral cavity, which is considered the most frequent source of microorganisms associated with bacteremia. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices adopted by dentists for the prevention of infective endocarditis (IE). Observational studies performed with dentists assessing their knowledge and practices for preventing IE were included, based on the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. Studies with dental students or other professionals, studies in which it was not possible to isolate AHA or dentist data, studies with non-infective endocarditis, all types of reviews, editorial letters, conference abstracts, pilot studies, case reports and case series, opinion articles, technical articles, and intervention studies, were excluded. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, BBO, CINAHL and gray literature. Two independent reviewers evaluated and participated in the selection and eligibility steps up to data extraction. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to assess methodological quality and risk of bias. Twentytwo of the 1085 studies identified, were included. Twelve studies approached knowledge of IE and practices adopted by professionals to prevent morbidity. Seven studies were considered to be at moderate risk of bias, and 15 at low risk. The results suggest that the knowledge and practices adopted by dentists for preventing IE are insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]