RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question

[Guest guest]

Ken,

When my

first AICD was installed, I was told that I should stay away from dentist’s

drills that had a powerful electric motor which would be near the AICD. I don’t know of any that are like

that. That AICD was made by

Guidant; a 1790 model. (I hope

that wasn’t the year of manufacture <g>). Nobody said anything to me

about any cautions to observe when I had a new St.Jude Medical AICD installed

ten days ago. But, I will be

cautious of strong magnetic fields, nevertheless. I would think that the cathode and the anode would be close

together in such a dental procedure.

Ask the dentist how far the current has to travel when he/she does that

procedure. It may be less than a

couple of inches. If that’s the

case, none of the current will reach near your AICD.

Norm

-----Original

Message-----

From: Ken McCormick

[mailto:kmccmedia@...]

Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 10:24

AM

Subject: Dental Checkup

Electrical Question

Hello Group,

Has anyone experienced problems from the

small electrical charge dentists put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage?

I'm going for my first dental app't since the receiving the icd in February.

Normally they use a small voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive

silver.

I'm thinking of saying, " just make it

quick! " , since my ICD is programmed to go off after 8 sec's of a very high

rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock off the table, so I'm an extreme

newcomer.

Thanks -- Ken McCormick

[Guest guest]

The other BIG issue with dental work is to see if you (probably) need to take an antibiotic prior to each procedure. The dentist will have to prescribe the antibiotic based on your cardiac diagnoses.

When you call to schedule an appointment, get the dentist's office to call in the antibiotic and also tell them you have an AICD; ask the dentist or nurse if there are any precautions need to be taken because of the AICD. I understand that for some dental and medical procedures they may have to turn off the AICD then turn it back on after the procedure - this is done similar to an interrogation.

Tommy

-----Original Message-----From: Norman Sussman [mailto:norm@...]Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 11:46 AM Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question

Ken,

When my first AICD was installed, I was told that I should stay away from dentist’s drills that had a powerful electric motor which would be near the AICD. I don’t know of any that are like that. That AICD was made by Guidant; a 1790 model. (I hope that wasn’t the year of manufacture <g>). Nobody said anything to me about any cautions to observe when I had a new St.Jude Medical AICD installed ten days ago. But, I will be cautious of strong magnetic fields, nevertheless. I would think that the cathode and the anode would be close together in such a dental procedure. Ask the dentist how far the current has to travel when he/she does that procedure. It may be less than a couple of inches. If that’s the case, none of the current will reach near your AICD.

Norm

-----Original Message-----From: Ken McCormick [mailto:kmccmedia@...]Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 10:24 AM Subject: Dental Checkup Electrical Question

Hello Group,

Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge dentists put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first dental app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a small voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver.

I'm thinking of saying, "just make it quick!", since my ICD is programmed to go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer.

Thanks -- Ken McCormick

Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Its funny you should say that - the two dentists I have had since my ICD

implant have asked ME if I should be taking antibiotics. More often than

not I've heard that your cardiologist needs to prescribe that medication -

not the dentist. I've run into dental techs and dentists who don't even

know what an ICD does let alone Long QT Syndrome.

>From: " Ford,Tommy " <tommy.ford@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question

>Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 12:00:26 -0500

>

>The other BIG issue with dental work is to see if you (probably) need to

>take an antibiotic prior to each procedure. The dentist will have to

>prescribe the antibiotic based on your cardiac diagnoses.

>

>When you call to schedule an appointment, get the dentist's office to call

>in the antibiotic and also tell them you have an AICD; ask the dentist or

>nurse if there are any precautions need to be taken because of the AICD. I

>understand that for some dental and medical procedures they may have to

>turn

>off the AICD then turn it back on after the procedure - this is done

>similar

>to an interrogation.

>Tommy

> Dental Checkup Electrical Question

>

>Hello Group,

>Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge dentists

>put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first

>dental

>app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a small

>voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver.

>I'm thinking of saying, " just make it quick! " , since my ICD is programmed

>to

>go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock

>off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer.

>Thanks -- Ken McCormick

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ken,

I had ECT (Electric Shock Therapy) for depression last summer. In order to do that the manufacturer of my device provided them with a magnet ? to place over my ICD dring the treatments. I would check with your Doc or Device Manufacturer first.

[Guest guest]

dentists are not up on icds and definatly not long qt syndrome, orthopedic doctors I thought should have known what long qt patients shouldn't have, especially since I was referal to another dept. but they numbed me inside my sholder with an injection of novacaine that sent me into ahrythmia and syncope resulting in this dang icd placement. I never thought to tell an ortopedic man about novacaine!!!!!! So always have your list of meds you cannot or should not take with you and give it to every type of dr you see!! because somehow it is "our fault" we didnt tell the doctors what they should have known to begin with!!! (hmmm, anyone detect an attitude?) :-)~

Debbie

>From: "mai_lin mai_lin"

>Reply- > >Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question >Date: Mon, 07 Jul 2003 14:29:59 -0400 > >Its funny you should say that - the two dentists I have had since my ICD >implant have asked ME if I should be taking antibiotics. More often than >not I've heard that your cardiologist needs to prescribe that medication - >not the dentist. I've run into dental techs and dentists who don't even >know what an ICD does let alone Long QT Syndrome. > > > > > > > > > >From: "Ford,Tommy"

> >Reply- > > > >Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question > >Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 12:00:26 -0500 > > > >The other BIG issue with dental work is to see if you (probably) need to > >take an antibiotic prior to each procedure. The dentist will have to > >prescribe the antibiotic based on your cardiac diagnoses. > > > >When you call to schedule an appointment, get the dentist's office to call > >in the antibiotic and also tell them you have an AICD; ask the dentist or > >nurse if there are any precautions need to be taken because of the AICD. I > >understand that for some dental and medical procedures they may have to > >turn > >off the AICD then turn it back on after the procedure - this is done > >similar > >to an interrogation. > >Tommy > > Dental Checkup Electrical Question > > > >Hello Group, > >Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge dentists > >put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first > >dental > >app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a small > >voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver. > >I'm thinking of saying, "just make it quick!", since my ICD is programmed > >to > >go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock > >off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer. > >Thanks -- Ken McCormick > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Don't expect the dentist to know a whole lot. My didn't have a clue.

Bridget

ps - Sharon, I too am sorry for your loss.

> The other BIG issue with dental work is to see if you (probably)

need to

> take an antibiotic prior to each procedure. The dentist will have

to

> prescribe the antibiotic based on your cardiac diagnoses.

>

> When you call to schedule an appointment, get the dentist's office

to call

> in the antibiotic and also tell them you have an AICD; ask the

dentist or

> nurse if there are any precautions need to be taken because of the

AICD. I

> understand that for some dental and medical procedures they may

have to turn

> off the AICD then turn it back on after the procedure - this is

done similar

> to an interrogation.

> Tommy

> Dental Checkup Electrical Question

>

> Hello Group,

> Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge

dentists

> put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my

first dental

> app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a

small

> voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver.

> I'm thinking of saying, " just make it quick! " , since my ICD is

programmed to

> go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had

a shock

> off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer.

> Thanks -- Ken McCormick

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks again everyone.

The dentist actually did know about icd's and said that they shut off ultrasonic cleaning equipment in the office when one is in. Otherwise uneventful.

-KM

>From: "mai_lin mai_lin"

>Reply- > >Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question >Date: Mon, 07 Jul 2003 14:29:59 -0400 > >Its funny you should say that - the two dentists I have had since my ICD >implant have asked ME if I should be taking antibiotics. More often than >not I've heard that your cardiologist needs to prescribe that medication - >not the dentist. I've run into dental techs and dentists who don't even >know what an ICD does let alone Long QT Syndrome. > > > > > > > > > >From: "Ford,Tommy"

> >Reply- > > > >Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question > >Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 12:00:26 -0500 > > > >The other BIG issue with dental work is to see if you (probably) need to > >take an antibiotic prior to each procedure. The dentist will have to > >prescribe the antibiotic based on your cardiac diagnoses. > > > >When you call to schedule an appointment, get the dentist's office to call > >in the antibiotic and also tell them you have an AICD; ask the dentist or > >nurse if there are any precautions need to be taken because of the AICD. I > >understand that for some dental and medical procedures they may have to > >turn > >off the AICD then turn it back on after the procedure - this is done > >similar > >to an interrogation. > >Tommy > > Dental Checkup Electrical Question > > > >Hello Group, > >Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge dentists > >put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first > >dental > >app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a small > >voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver. > >I'm thinking of saying, "just make it quick!", since my ICD is programmed > >to > >go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock > >off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer. > >Thanks -- Ken McCormick > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear your dentist knew about ICD's. I was beginning to think I had provided mis-information.

Guess I have been very lucky over the 12 years I have been a cardiac patient - my dentist has been very supportive and stayed on top of my situation. From prior experience, any time you have a dental problem, be sure to get it checked out to avoid developing an infection that may be detrimental to your heart.

Tommy.

Dental Checkup Electrical Question > > > >Hello Group, > >Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge dentists > >put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first > >dental > >app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a small > >voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver. > >I'm thinking of saying, "just make it quick!", since my ICD is programmed > >to > >go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock > >off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer. > >Thanks -- Ken McCormick > > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Yes, Tommy;

I agree. My cardio has always told me I need antibiotics, but

the Dentist has that in his chart and always either prescribes them for

me, or I forget, even gives them to me! Medtronic told me there

was nothing in the dental office that could hurt me.... Well

my Dentist always turns off the cavatron marchine around me... And

since he is left handed - he tries not ro work over the ICD... Also

don't let them give you the epinepherine (sp?) Geez that stuff really

races my heart -- they gave that to me before we knew I had heart problems....

SCARRY!

~guin

"Ford,Tommy" wrote:

Glad

to hear your dentist knew about ICD's. I was beginning to think I

had provided mis-information. Guess

I have been very lucky over the 12 years I have been a cardiac patient

- my dentist has been very supportive and stayed on top of my situation.

From prior experience, any time you have a dental problem, be sure to get

it checked out to avoid developing an infection that may be detrimental

to your heart.Tommy.

[Guest guest]

hi all,,,,,when i go for my

semi annual cleaning the dentists calls in a prescripiton of 6 pills and

im supposed to take them all as prescribed on the

bottle....

most dentists will do this and just ask the ones that dont know to please

call your docs office and check. there are still many many people

out there in this world that have no idea what an icd is let alone know

what it does.

bob in pa

>From:

" Ford,Tommy " <tommy.ford@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: RE: Dental Checkup Electrical Question

>Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 12:00:26 -0500

>

>The other BIG issue with dental work is to see if you (probably) need

to

>take an antibiotic prior to each procedure. The dentist will

have to

>prescribe the antibiotic based on your cardiac diagnoses.

>

>When you call to schedule an appointment, get the dentist's office to

call

>in the antibiotic and also tell them you have an AICD; ask the

dentist or

>nurse if there are any precautions need to be taken because of the

AICD. I

>understand that for some dental and medical procedures they may have

to

>turn

>off the AICD then turn it back on after the procedure - this is done

>similar

>to an interrogation.

>Tommy

> Dental Checkup Electrical Question

>

>Hello Group,

>Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge

dentists

>put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first

>dental

>app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a

small

>voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver.

>I'm thinking of saying, " just make it quick! " , since my ICD

is programmed

>to

>go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a

shock

>off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer.

>Thanks -- Ken McCormick

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Whenever I go to the Dentist I have to take 4 big horse pills of antibiotics which are 500 mg's each. TURK

Dental Checkup Electrical Question>>Hello Group,>Has anyone experienced problems from the small electrical charge dentists>put through a tooth suspected of nerve damage? I'm going for my first >dental>app't since the receiving the icd in February. Normally they use a small>voltage to look at a tooth that has aextensive silver.>I'm thinking of saying, "just make it quick!", since my ICD is programmed >to>go off after 8 sec's of a very high rate of VT. Also I've never had a shock>off the table, so I'm an extreme newcomer.>Thanks -- Ken McCormick>>>>