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# Dental treatment - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  1. Less than 7 days since root canal treatment, dental capping (crown or veneer), dental implants or having a tooth removed.
  2. Less than 24 hours since a filling, scale and polish or other superficial treatments.
  3. All wounds are not healed.
  4. There is any infection or the donor has been on antibiotics within the last 7 days.
  5. Allogeneic human tissue (bone) has been used.
  6. Less than 3 months since any invasive dental treatment outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI).
  7. Receiving, or waiting for, treatment for periodontal gum disease.
Discretionary
  1. If inspection, dental impressions or re-cementing of an existing crown or veneer only, with no requirement for further drilling or local anaesthetic, accept.
  2. If the donor has received an autologous bone graft within the UK or ROI, accept. An autologous graft is derived from the donor's own bone.
  3. If the donor has been treated within the UK or ROI with graft material derived from a non-biological or approved non-human source, accept.
  4. If donor has received graft materials during dental treatment outside the UK and ROI, refer to a Designated Clinical Support Officer.
  5. If the donor has completed any treatment for periodontal gum disease, is well with no symptoms of gum disease, and they are only attending a dentist or dental hygienist for cleaning to maintain gum heath no more than once every 3 months, accept.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Infection, general
  - Surgery
  - Tissue and organ recipients
Additional information

  Dental extractions, other treatments and active gum disease can result in bacteria getting into the blood stream. The waiting times after treatment are to allow healing and for any bacteria that have entered the blood stream to be cleared.

  Gum disease is common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, ulcers and difficulty eating. Donors may declare that they have gingivitis which is inflammation of the gums and which may be acute or chronic, but more chronic or extensive inflammation is usually called periodontal disease. If left untreated, disease can spread to the underlying bones causing teeth to become lose and/or require removal.

  Referral to a periodontal specialist may be required, but active significant gum disease will usually be managed to prevent progression, by frequent visits to a dentist or dental hygienist for a course of intensive deep cleaning. Once this course of periodontal treatment is completed then the usual regular schedule of dental hygienist cleaning 3-monthly to maintain gum health will resume and continue. Gum disease can be associated with, for example, diabetes or pregnancy, and so care must be taken to ensure a donor is also otherwise eligible.

  As there may be uncertainty about infection risks for invasive dental treatment performed outside the UK and ROI, a deferral period of 3 months is required. Invasive treatments include root canal treatments, dental capping, dental implants and tooth extractions.

  Graft materials used in dental procedures are highly processed products, derived from autologous bone, other human bone (allogeneic), animal bone or non-biological materials.

  In the UK and ROI, any animal-derived graft material used in dental treatment are approved by regulatory authorities and can be regarded as free from known infection risks. If the donor knows that they received a product derived from an animal, or non-biological source, the donor can be accepted. If the donor is unsure, advise them to check with their dentist.

  For dental surgery performed elsewhere in the world, it may be necessary to request more information about any graft products which were used.

  Donors who have had more extensive surgery on their jaw may have received a standard human bone graft. If in doubt, refer to a Designated Clinical Support Officer.

Reason for change:
  Guidance for donors receiving treatment for periodontal disease has been added.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 72 (31 July 2024)

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