The dental management of children with congenital heart disease following the publication of Paediatric Congenital Heart Disease Standards and Specifications

The Paediatric Congenital Heart Disease Standards and Specifications (PCHDSS) were published in May 2016 by NHS England. The standards describe in detail the cardiac care patients should expect in England. They are also the first cardiology standards to include an oral health section. The dental standards outline what oral health care patients should receive from both cardiology and dental healthcare professionals, with immediate effect. Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of infective endocarditis and often have poorer oral health compared to healthy children. Children with cardiac disease can be complex to manage appropriately due to their increased dental anxiety and reduced access to dental care. The PCHDSS dental section highlights the importance of collaborative working between cardiology, primary care and paediatric dentistry. This should ensure preventive advice is delivered regularly, oral disease diagnosed early and patients managed or referred appropriately. This article will summarise CHD, the PCHDSS, its implications and discuss the oral health of children with a cardiac defect. The importance of treatment planning and dental management for this high risk group, in addition to informing readers when to refer to specialist care will also be described.