Patients on anticoagulants/antiplatelets

For most dental procedures it is not necessary to stop anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy — use local haemostatic measures and good planning instead. Stopping these drugs exposes patients to serious thromboembolic risk (stroke, MI, PE, valve or stent thrombosis). Core drugs: warfarin (VKA), DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban), aspirin, clopidogrel/ticagrelor/prasugrel, and DAPT combinations. UK (SDCEP 2nd edition, 2022) is the primary dental framework; US (ADA) guidance is broadly consistent (do not routinely interrupt; manage bleeding locally). This card focuses on the bleeding/haemostasis and lab-monitoring angle (e.g. warfarin INR < 4.0 to proceed without interruption). Key principle: do not advise interruption without the prescribing clinician's plan.