Exames laboratoriais: Em quais situações o dentista deve solicitar? Qual a importância #exames

Summary

In this video, Dr. Francisco Jaci Júnior, a dentist, explains why it’s important for a dentist to request various laboratory and imaging tests in specific cases. He discusses how tests can help diagnose potential conditions such as anemia, infections, diabetes, liver diseases, and more. Through examples like blood counts, liver function tests, and thyroid function tests, he highlights how these exams aid in accurate diagnoses and improve patient care. Dr. Jaci emphasizes that requesting exams is a responsible approach and reassures patients that it’s not unusual or unnecessary for dentists to do so.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dentists may request laboratory and imaging exams to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, which can seem unusual to patients but is often necessary.
• 😀 Laboratory exams, such as blood tests, can help identify conditions like anemia, infections, or nutritional deficiencies, which can affect oral health.
• 😀 A blood count can reveal issues such as iron or vitamin B deficiencies, anemia, or immune system problems, which can impact dental procedures and recovery.
• 😀 Platelet levels are crucial before complex dental surgeries, as low platelets can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during procedures.
• 😀 Imaging exams and laboratory tests can help dentists rule out or confirm conditions like infections, abscesses, and viral or bacterial diseases.
• 😀 Bilirubin tests are used to detect jaundice, a condition that could indicate liver, spleen, or gallbladder issues.
• 😀 Dentists may request thyroid function tests, such as TSH, T3, and T4, to evaluate thyroid health if a patient presents symptoms like a burning tongue.
• 😀 For patients with bad breath (halitosis), dentists might suspect conditions like diabetes and request blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin tests to confirm or rule out the disease.
• 😀 Chronic kidney diseases can be detected by urine-like bad breath, with tests for urea and creatinine used to assess kidney function.
• 😀 Dentists may request pregnancy tests (Beta HCG) if a patient presents with unexplained gum bleeding, as hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect oral health.

Q & A

Why might a dentist request laboratory or imaging exams for a patient?

A dentist may request laboratory or imaging exams to better understand the patient's overall health, detect potential issues like infections, anemia, or other systemic conditions, and to ensure the patient's safety, especially before procedures like tooth extractions or surgeries.

Is it normal for a dentist to request laboratory tests, and why do some patients find it strange?

It is normal for dentists to request laboratory tests, especially when there's a need to assess the patient's health before a procedure. Some patients may find it strange because they are used to dentists not requesting such tests, and they may not understand the need for a more thorough evaluation.

When is it appropriate for a dentist to request a blood count test?

A dentist may request a blood count test before complex dental procedures, such as extractions, surgeries, or biopsies, to assess the patient's blood health and detect potential issues like anemia or low immunity.

What can a blood count test reveal about a patient's health?

A blood count test can reveal details about red and white blood cells, including signs of anemia (due to low red blood cells or hemoglobin), infections, or immune system issues. It can also provide insights into nutritional deficiencies, such as iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.

How can a dentist use a blood count test to detect anemia?

A dentist can detect anemia by evaluating the hemoglobin and red blood cell count in a blood count test. Low hemoglobin or red blood cell count can indicate anemia, which may impair tissue healing, especially after dental procedures like extractions.

What does an increase in white blood cells (like neutrophils or lymphocytes) indicate?

An increase in white blood cells, such as neutrophils or lymphocytes, typically indicates an infection. Neutrophils are often linked to bacterial infections, while elevated lymphocytes are more commonly associated with viral infections.

Why might a dentist request tests for liver function, such as bilirubin levels?

A dentist might request liver function tests, like bilirubin levels, if a patient shows signs of jaundice, which could indicate liver or gallbladder issues. Elevated bilirubin levels can suggest problems like liver disease or excessive red blood cell breakdown.

How can a dentist suspect a patient has diabetes based on symptoms like bad breath?

Bad breath with a rotten apple or sulfur-like smell is common in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. A dentist may request tests like fasting blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin (A1C) to diagnose or confirm diabetes based on these symptoms.

What is the significance of a Beta HCG test in dentistry?

A Beta HCG test, commonly known as a pregnancy test, may be requested if a female patient has unexplained bleeding gums or sensitivity. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect gum health and sensitivity to dental procedures.

Why might a dentist request kidney function tests for a patient with a specific type of bad breath?

If a patient has urine-like bad breath, it may indicate kidney disease, as urea is not being properly excreted. A dentist may request kidney function tests, such as urea and creatinine levels, to assess kidney health and diagnose potential issues.